John Wesley had the biggest night of his young career in the Pacific International Junior Hockey League to lead the Richmond Sockeyes to an 8-0 rout of the Port Moody Panthers on Saturday.
The 16-year-old rookie had four points, including a pair of goals, as the Sockeyes feasted on the worst team in the PIJHL. Wesley opened the scoring just 69 seconds into the game as Richmond led 4-0 after one period. The visitors added three more in the middle stanza to cruise to victory.
Liam Lawson also scored twice, including his team leading eighth goal of the season. Others went to Justin White, Adam Nishi and Mac Colasimone. Kurt Russell made 24 saves for the shutout.
Richmond was coming off 4-3 home ice loss to the Aldergrove Kodiaks two nights earlier. Jeremy Lagler’s power play goal with just over five minutes remaining proved to be the difference. Nicholas Patey, Ayden MacDonald and Lawson scored in a losing cause. Kootenay Alder was solid in net, making 39 saves as the visitors outshot the Sockeyes 43-30 on the night thanks to nine power play opportunities.
The Sockeyes (6-2-1-2) currently sit tied for second in the Tom Shaw Conference with Grandview, three points back of Delta. They return to action Thursday when the Ridge Meadows Flames visit Minoru at 7 p.m.
