Following a week of trading frenzy, the Richmond Sockeyes dug deep Saturday night to pull out their biggest win of the young season.
Trailing the North Vancouver Wolf Pack 4-1 after 20 minutes and in danger of falling seven points out of second place, the Sockeyes roared back for a 6-5 overtime victory. Brett Gelz’s hat trick goal, on a set-up from Noah Wozney, completed the comeback to lift Richmond’s record to 6-4-0-1.
With the team somewhat sputtering along with up-and-down performances, first-year head coach Steve Robinson finally took action by sitting out a couple of core veteran players in the Sockeyes’ 6-5 win in Aldergrove back on Oct. 4.
It would be the start of a significant roster shake-up.
A week later, general manager Richard Petrowsky had completed three trades — moving four forwards. Cameron Kovesdi and Allan Gekhman were sent to Ridge Meadows and Port Moody respectively for future considerations. The club also swung a significant deal with the Grandview Steelers, acquiring 20-year-old Braeden Gurney for Brodie Crawford (20) and Connor Alderson (19).
Gurney had a goal and two assists in North Vancouver.
“There were some guys that I was struggling to get the message through on so I healthy scratched them (in Aldergrove) and that definitely got everybody’s attention,” said Robinson. “I knew that could go one way or the other but I finally felt like it was time for me to say enough is enough. The entitlement train is over. The guys in their own way asked for a trade and I said no problem.
“These aren’t bad kids and I wish them no ill will. But it was clear that what they had before with (former head coach) Judd (Lambert) and where they felt they were here now. We brought in a lot of forwards and I preached being a three-deep first line team and everybody else bought in. Those guys kept asking why don’t I get more ice?
“I was fine with moving forward under my terms but they said they rather be somewhere else. I appreciate them being honest. I told ownership and Richard what I wanted to do and they were totally supportive.”
The Sockeyes now just need to get their goaltending situation sorted out. They have been leaning heavily of late on Seafair juvenile affiliate Hardarshan Hoonjan who was superb in relief Saturday with 19 saves on 20 shots.
Veteran Jacob Latrace is out indefinitely with a high ankle strain. The club has also been in contact with Marek Pipes who is trying to land another opportunity in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League. The soon-to-be 19-year-old was the PJHL’s top goalie a year ago.
Former Greater Vancouver Canadians netminder Lukas Shaw, 17, is also in the equation as he gets close to full health from a pre-season injury.
The Sockeyes are back in action Thursday when Grandview visits Minoru Arenas at 7 p.m. Crawford and Alderson each scored Sunday in the Steelers 7-2 win over Port Moody.
