Richmond Sockeyes returned from nearly a three-week layoff to split a pair of games as they remain in a neck-and-neck battle for first overall in the Pacific Junior Hockey League.
Playing for the first time since Dec. 19, the Sockeyes managed a 5-3 road win over the Aldergrove Kodiaks in a rematch of last year’s championship series.
Richmond enjoyed a 2-1 lead after one period and iced the game on Daniel Oakley’ his second of the night with less than five minutes remaining. Matthew Bissett, Tyler Andrews and Brett Gelz had the other goals. Bissett also had a pair of assists, while Kurt Russell made 22 saves.
The momentum was short-lived as the Sockeyes returned to Minoru Arenas and suffered a rare home ice defeat — a 3-2 result to the Mission City Outlaws. PJHL scoring leader Troy Kaczynski and rookie Tyler Paterson each had a goal and an assist in a losing cause.
Richmond (26-7-0-2) entered this week’s play tied for top spot in the Tom Shaw Conference with the North Vancouver Wolf Pack (26-6-0-2). The teams are battling for home ice advantage throughout the playoffs as both are 15 points clear of their nearest rival. They are slated to meet one more time this season — Feb. 12 at Minoru.
The Sockeyes return to action Thursday when Aldergrove visits at 7 p.m.
Icing…
Former Sockeyes standout Johnny Wesley has a fresh start in his Western Hockey League career with the Lethbridge Hurricanes. The 17-year-old was dealt by the Vancouver Giants during Saturday’s league trading deadline in exchange for Zane Jones.
After failing to crack the Giants roster, Wesley had been playing with the Surrey Eagles of the B.C. Hockey League where he had managed 21 points in 31 games.
The 2013-14 PJHL rookie-of-the-year also had a goal in one game as a call-up with the Giants.
