The Richmond Sockeyes have wasted little time in showcasing their scoring ability.
On Thursday night, they exploded for four goals in the final 20 minutes en route to a 9-5 win over the visiting Ridge Meadows Flames. The result came on the heels of a 6-2 win in Langley 24 hours earlier as Richmond sits atop the Pacific Junior Hockey League overall standings with a perfect 4-0-0 record.
The Sockeyes have shown why they have arguably the league’s deepest group of forwards — averaging six goals per contest thus far.
Against the Flames, it was 20-year-old Nick Wilson setting the pace with a hat trick and one assist.
The visitors actually had scored four unanswered goals to tie the game at 5-5 in the early period when Craig Schouten ignited the outburst just 17 seconds later with his fourth goal of the campaign.
Reigning PJHL rookie-of-the-year Marcus Pantazis added a pair while Ryleigh Anderson scored once and notched two assists.
Ethan Stirk and Michael Araki-Young rounded out the scoring. Maurico Soriano-McKinnon made 24 saves with the hosts enjoying a 41-29 advantage in the shot department.
In Langley, a power play goal from local product Gabriel Sueessenbacher-Fu early in the second period proved to be the game winner. Rookie Garrett Wicks and Araki-Young, with his second of the night, provided third period insurance tallies. Pantazis chipped in with three assists.
Marcus Cumberworth made 19 saves in his season debut as head coach Brett Reusch has stuck to his plan of using all three of his goalies in the opening weeks of the campaign.
The Sockeyes return to action Thursday when the Grandview Steelers visit Minoru at 7 p.m.
