The Richmond Ice Centre looked to be in full off-season mode last Sunday with the exception of one rink.
With a public skating session and a couple of pick-up games surrounding them, the Richmond Sockeyes were hard at work preparing for this week's Cyclone Taylor Cup provincial junior "B" championships in Courtenay.
When Richmond steps on the ice tomorrow afternoon against Vancouver Island champion Victoria Cougars, it will be the first time the locals have seen game action since winning the Pacific International Junior Hockey League title 16 days ago.
The long layoff forced the coaching staff to put together an extensive preparation plan that included dryland training sessions and even a visit from a sports psychologist. The hope is the Sockeyes will show little signs of rust when they try to become B.C. champions for the first time since 2009.
"We found some different ways to get them refocused," explained head coach Aaron Wilbur. "We kind of took a training camp approach to it.
"We started at square one with our systems on how we wanted to play and built it right back up again, just like we did in September. It gave the guys more of a day-to-day focus, rather than who we are going to play."
The Sockeyes are well-aware of their opponents and the importance of getting off to a good start in the four-team tournament that provides little room for error.
After facing Victoria, Richmond takes on the host Comox Valley Glacier Kings Friday, before closing out round-robin play Saturday against Kootenay league champion Castlegar.
The top two teams meet Sunday for the gold medal and the opportunity to represent B.C. at next week's Keystone Cup Western Canadian Championships in Manitoba.
"The biggest thing is winning our first game," continued Wilbur. "We don't want to be into our third game having to win by five goals or something like that to get into the final."
The Sockeyes biggest test could very well be right out of the gate against a Victoria team that dominated league play (46-1-2) and also made short work of its playoff opponents, including a sweep of Comox Valley in the finals.
"It's a good match-up for us," said Wilbur. "They are similar to Delta in that they have one really big line. But from what we have seen, it doesn't look tougher than any team we have already faced this season. We just have to put all our energy towards beating Victoria and refocus after that."
Icing...
The extended break has allowed the Sockeyes to be close to 100 percent healthy with only blueliner Trevor Stack not expected to play this week. That hasn't prevent major midget call-up Austin Adamson from earning a roster spot. The Saskatoon Blades prospect will be taking a regular shift on the fourth line.
The Seafair Minor Hockey product led the Greater Vancouver Canadians with 22 goals in 40 games this season.
"He has been outstanding for us," added Wilbur. "Our fourth line is suddenly very versatile which especially helps when you're on the road and don't have the last change. Austin is a skill kid with tons of speed and good hands. He comes here to get better every day as a player and recognizes this is a good opportunity for his career."
