The Richmond Sockeyes didn’t waste anytime in showing what their firepower was capable of under new head coach Steve Robinson.
Seemingly on their way to a frustrating opening night loss, the Sockeyes produced three unanswered goals in the final period then completed the comeback in overtime for a thrilling 6-5 home ice win over the North Vancouver Wolf Pack.
Richmond had dominated much of the territorial play for the opening 40 minutes, but it was the Wolf Pack that managed the only two goals of the second period to build up a 5-2 lead, despite being outshot 13-7.
Captain Tyler Andrews ignited the comeback with a pair of tallies just 62 seconds apart. He then set-up Nicolas Bizzutto for the equalizer with 4:42 remaining.
The two combined again to conclude the evening when Bizzutto finished off an Andrews feed. The 19-year-old had been acquired just days earlier from Mission for future considerations and looked right at home playing with Andrews. The pair combined for seven points.
Tyler Paterson chipped in with a goal and an assist in his first game in a Sockeyes’ uniform since the 2015-16 season after a stint in the BCHL. Brodie Crawford also had a goal and a helper.
Richmond outshot North Vancouver 44-19 on the night, including 17-0 in the third period. Jacob Latrace turned aside 14 shots for the win in his debut.
The Sockeyes return to action Thursday when Port Moody visits Minoru Arenas at 7 p.m. They also hit the road Saturday to take on Mission.
