After realizing there was a police guard outside their hotel, the Sockeyes began to understand the threat they posed.
Deep in the beating heart of hockey country, the Sockeyes were public enemy number one in Red Deer, Alb. villains of the piece, in town to steal the coveted Doyle Cup and the B.C/Alberta crown from under the noses of local heroes, the Rustlers.
Earlier in that historic 1986/87 season, the Sockeyes were in irresistible form, building up a powerhouse reputation under coach Orland Kurtenbach the Canucks first ever captain who also went on to coach the team where they marched relentlessly on a 17-game unbeaten playoff run.
It was a winning streak that saw them cruise the PJHL, before disposing mercilessly of Peace Cariboo champs Quesnel Millionaires to claim the Mowat Cup as kings of B.C.
But here they were, entrenched in deepest, darkest Alberta, with Mounties keeping a watchful eye as they slept. Worse was to follow when they finally hit the ice.
I remember going out to play in Red Deer and we needed a police presence, recalled former Sockeye centreman Dave Tomlinson, now a Canucks radio analyst for Team 1040.
During the game, someone got hit in the face with an egg and coffee was poured on the coach.
We beat them, but we started then to realize how serious this game was in other parts of the country. We found out in a hurry thats for sure.
The Sockeyes eventually ran out the series 4-3 winners to add the Doyle Cup to a burgeoning fireplace of trophies and earn a spot in the Abbot Cup where they squared off against the Humboldt Broncos of Saskatchewan.
Richmond won the series in seven, but both teams went onto the national Junior A finals for the pinnacle that was then the Centennial Cup, now the Royal Bank Cup.
The national finals were back in Humboldt and, having won their way through to the gold medal game, they faced the hosts yet again. Tomlinson recalled that familiar feeling of having a target painted on his back.
I scored the first goal of the game, which was nice, but I remember it was a very charged atmosphere, said Tomlinson.
It was in their rink, and the previous series had gone to seven games. We were the enemy in there, but we never really let up.
It was one of those games where we just kept pounding away.
Despite the hostility of a home Saskatchewan crowd and facing the countrys other powerhouse that year, the Sockeyes prevailed and ran out comfortable 5-2 winners to collect Canadas top Junior A prize.
We had an awesome team; it was a wonderful, wonderful time, Tomlinson said.
The owner, Bruce Taylor, wanted to put a team together to win that championship, so he brought in Kurtenbach and he kept on bringing in players that just seemed to make us stronger and stronger.
If there was a better team out there, the feeling was that they would have to be very good to beat us.
Despite only pulling on the Sockeyes jersey for that one magical season, Tomlinson who went onto to get a scholarship to Boston University before playing in the NHL for the Leafs, the Jets and the Panthers harbours vivid memories of the championship-winning key characters, not least Kurtenbach.
Frank Romeo was the goaltender and only started for us in the playoffs, he was a big pickup, he said.
Matt Hervey was a heavy sort, with a great powerplay. We were a tough, tough hockey club and that really helped us.
My memory was that Kurt didnt say a lot, but when he spoke, you listened. In my first game as a Sockeye, I scored a hat-trick, but also received four minor penalties for hooking and holding. Kurt didnt say a lot, but he just had to look at me, that was enough.
He commanded respect. There was a lot of trust in what he had to say.
Tomlinsons one regret was that not enough people came out to see the Sockeyes that year, their championship winning year.
I think lots of people missed an opportunity back then to see a really good hockey team, added Tomlinson, who now lives in West Vancouver and is teaching his three-year-old son to skate.
This (anniversary) brings back some great memories; you never really know if youll win a championship. Im very thankful and love talking about it.
