The Richmond Sockeyes can take a big step towards locking up their third consecutive Pacific International Junior Hockey League regular season championship when they host the Delta Ice Hawks on Thursday night.
The Sockeyes (37-5-0-4) enter this week's play with a four-point cushion over their cross-river rival (34-9-0-3). Each team has six games remaining, including two against each other. The season series is split, with all four games being won by the visiting team.
Richmond tuned up for the showdown with a 6-0 road win over the Mission City Outlaws on Saturday night. Daniell Lange led the way with a pair of goals and one assist. Dean Allison also enjoyed a three-point night, including a goal. Jake Roder, Stephen Campbell and Dominic Centis had the others.
Former Outlaw goaltender William Latimer turned aside 22 shots for his second shutout of the season.
Game time Thursday is 7: 30 p.m. The Ice Hawks and Sockeyes will also meet on Feb. 12 in Ladner.
Icing...
The Sockeyes Alumni have announced their rosters for a pair of upcoming games including Feb. 9 against the Canucks Oldtimers as part of Richmond Celebrates Hockey Day at the Richmond Olympic Oval.
The Sockeyes line-up will include former standouts such as Judd Lambert, Doug Paterson, Kyle Nishi, Dean Richards, Steve Howitt and Daryl Fowler.
Tickets are $15 and are available at www. brownpapertickets.com or at the door. Partial proceeds from ticket sales will benefit Richmond Kidsport. Game time is 4: 30 p.m.
The Sockeyes 11th annual alumni game takes place a week later on Feb. 16 at Minoru Arena.
