The Richmond Sockeyes have some company at the top of the Pacific Junior Hockey League’s Tom Shaw Conference and they don’t mind one bit.
Despite an impressive 18-4-0-2 record, the Sockeyes find themselves six points back of the high flying North Vancouver Wolf Pack (21-1-0-2) entering this week’s play. The Sockeyes handed the Wolf Pack their only regulation loss way back in early September and North Vancouver responded by winning the next two meetings, including a 3-2 home ice overtime result on Oct. 18. The teams will renew their rivalry Dec. 4 at Minoru Arenas (7 p.m.).
Last season, the Sockeyes ran away with first place, finishing 17 points better than North Vancouver, then swept them in the conference finals. This time, it’s looking more like their battle with the Delta Ice Hawks during the 2012-13 campaign when Richmond took first place by two points and won an epic seven game series en route to becoming, league, provincial and Western Canadian champions.
“They are a very good team,” said Sockeyes head coach Judd Lambert. “That overtime loss flattered us. We were badly outshot (40-20) and our goalie (Kurt Russell) was the best player on the ice.
“They are big. They are fast. They have experience and are talented. I would say right now they are better than we are and we know we have to beat them if we want to do anything this year. It’s good to have that measuring stick out there. We have three more games against them and hopefully we can improve in each one of them.”
The Sockeyes kept pace with their rival thanks to two more wins last week, including a 3-1 victory at Port Moody on Saturday night. Power play goals by Matthew Bissett, Daniel Oakley and league scoring leader Troy Kaczynski gave Richmond a 3-0 lead after 20 minutes.
Adam Rota, son of former Vancouver Canuck Darcy Rota, spoiled Nathan Alalouf’s shutout bid.
Two nights earlier, Richmond edged the Delta Ice Hawks 3-2 on home ice. A power play goal from rookie Tyler Andrews, near the midway mark of the third period, provided the difference.
The Sockeyes visit Langley on Thursday and Grandview Sunday.
