Richmond Sockeyes leaned on their veterans for a dominating performance on Saturday night in North Vancouver.
The Sockeyes improved to 1-0-0-1 in the early stages of the Pacific Junior Hockey League season with a 6-0 romp of the North Vancouver Wolf Pack. Sophomore forward Alex McLeod led the way with two goals and one assist, while third-year Brodie Crawford also scored twice. Arjun Badh enjoyed a three-point night, including a goal, while captain Tyler Andrews scored his first goal since re-joining the club from the B.C. Hockey League’s Surrey Eagles.
Seventeen-year-old rookie Merek Pipes was impressive in his Sockeyes debut between the pipes, making 20 saves for the shutout.
Richmond had opened the regular season two nights earlier with a tight-checking 2-1 loss to the Grandview Steelers at Minoru Arenas.
Jeeven Sidhu opened the scoring just three minutes in but the Sockeyes would not score again. The Steelers pulled even in the second period and notched the overtime win just 42 seconds into the extra frame.
Each team enjoyed just one power play opportunity.
The Sockeyes visit the Delta Ice Hawks on Tuesday in Ladner and return home Thursday to take on the Aldergrove Kodiaks at 7 p.m.
