The Richmond Sockeyes will be representing B.C. at this weeks Keystone Cup Western Canadian junior B hockey championships in Manitoba after capturing their fifth Cyclone Taylor Cup in franchise history.
The Pacific International Junior Hockey League champions capped a dominating run at the four-team tournament in Courtenay with a 4-1 victory over Vancouver Island league representative Victoria Cougars on Sunday afternoon. Richmond actually trailed 1-0 after 20 minutes before taking control on second period goals by Jeremy Hamaguchi, Jake Roder, Liam Lawson and Rudi Thorsteinson. Kootenay Alder got the win in net.
The Sockeyes won all four games at the provincials and now have a sparkling 16-3 post-season record. Their only losses came in a seven game series win over the Delta Ice Hawks in the PIJHL semi-finals.
Richmond begins play Thursday in St. Malo against Alberta champions Oktoks Bisons. Other Keystone Cup participants include: Saskatoon Royals (Saskatchewan), Peguis Juniors (Manitoba), Northern Hawks (Ontario) and the host St. Malo Warriors. The tournament concludes next Sunday with the top two teams in round-robin play meeting for gold at 11 a.m. (PDT). The Sockeyes won the event in 2009 and were runners-up in 2004. Abbotsford won the 2012 tournament and will hosting next years event.
Richmonds run to gold in Courtenay began with the same way it finished a 5-2 win last Thursday over Victoria. It was just the fourth loss this season in regulation time for the Cougars.
Daniell Lange, Daniel Tait, Hamaguchi, Thorsteinson and Allison had the Richmond goals.
The Sockeyes then dumped the host Comox Valley Glacier Kings 6-2 Friday behind a hat trick from Jake Roder. Allison chipped in with a pair and Thorsteinson also scored, while Kootenay Alder turned aside 18 shots.
Richmond then completed its perfect run in round-robin play with a 3-2 win yesterday against Kootenay league champion Castlegar Rebels on goals by Danton Heinen, Scott Wessa and Lange. The Sockeyes opened up a 3-0 lead after 40 minutes before the Rebels got on the board with 7:31 remaining and also scored in the final minute of play.
