Should the Richmond Sockeyes and Grandview Steelers collide in next month’s Pacific Junior Hockey League playoffs, expect to see plenty of overtime in the best-of-seven series.
The Sockeyes clashed with the Steelers for the third time in their last five games on Thursday at Minoru Arenas and each meeting has taken an additional period to determine a winner.
Jeffrey Wong’s goal at the 3:35 mark of overtime lifted the Steelers to a 2-1 victory in tight checking affair between the Tom Shaw Conference rivals. The Sockeyes took a 1-0 lead into the third period thanks to a Noah Wozney power play tally.
Grandview pulled even on its own man advantage opportunity midway through the frame.
The Steelers handed Richmond a 4-3 overtime loss back back on Jan. 1 during the PJHL Winter Classic. The teams also battled to a 3-3 tie on Dec. 20 at the Burnaby Winter Club.
Despite Grandview (21-11-1-2) managing to earn two additional points, it only enjoys a three point lead on Richmond (18-11-2-4) for second place in the conference. The Sockeyes gained ground on the weekend with a 3-2 win over the Port Moody Panthers, while the Steelers dropped a 3-0 decision Sunday to the Abbotsford Pilots.
Goaltender Kurt Russell’s 29 save performance earned him first star honour. Matthew Cox notched what proved to be the game winner midway through the third period. Kyle Uy and Brodie Crawford also scored.
The Sockeyes return to action Thursday when the Ridge Meadows Flames are in town at 7 p.m. They then head to North Vancouver Saturday night to take on the first place North Vancouver Wolf Pack.
Icing….
The Sockeyes remained relatively quiet at the league roster deadline on Jan 10. The club did transfer the playing rights of Troy Sutherland to the Rochester Americans of the USPHL. The 20-year-old had not played a game for Richmond this season after joining the team late last year. Earlier, 17-year-old forward Justin Shwartz was dealt to the Grandview Steelers for future considerations. The Richmond native has since been traded to the Delta Ice Hawks.
