remember ray's legacy - 29th September

Story by Steve Erickson

Playing any sport doesn’t always mean winning but it’s fair to say that winning not only helps build team chemistry as well as a mindset that instills confidence as long as everyone  buys into the program.

This isn’t only for sports but life in general which at times is cut far too short and for the Richmond Sockeyes remembering former Sockeye Ray Sawata his legacy indeed lives on.

From the last article the Sockeyes continue their winning ways managing to outscore their opposition by a commanding 32-13 in four previous meetings since November 14th.

Scoring isn’t a problem nor is playing as a unit and in the four contests they came up short against the Steelers dropping a narrow 6-5 contest in a game that went to a shoot-out which the fans loved.

Sockeyes Nicholas Noren who calls Vernon home continues to lead the stats column having played 25 games collecting 19 goals, 28 assists also managing to add 6 power play goals as well as 4 game winning goals.

He’s closely followed by the following snipers that has Sockeyes Captain Tao Lin (37 points) second, Max Shin (28 points) and Beaudy Beaudin with 26 points with scoring filtering throughout the team.

Reflecting on overall play there weren’t many that did it any better than former Sockeye Ray Sawata who tragically passed away whose memory lives on with the Richmond Sockeyes organization.

The pregame ceremony a year following his passing saw the play like Ray committee  present a cheque to KidSport with money raised from the “Play Like Ray” tournament this past September which will continue each year.

Ray’s passing left a hole in the hearts of everyone who knew him but none stronger than his Family who are still and will always continue to be a huge part of the Sockeyes organization.

The previous game saw a remarkable tribute for Remembrance Day which was followed by yet another tribute honoring and respecting Ray.

In conversation with some players they know of his legacy and what he meant to the Sockeyes organization all wanting to continue to “Play Like Ray” as a Sockeye.

The on-ice tribute was exceptional that had many in the crowd in tears as his Family took to the ice in what was best described as “nothing less than exceptional” by a first class organization.

With the ceremony concluded it was back to basics in what was best described as a hard fought contest which sadly the Sockeyes dropped by a 4-1 contest to the Flames.

As the league continues to get stronger attracting quality players the Sockeyes are sitting in the top four in PJHL standings that sees them in a neck-and-neck fight to climb the ladder as they again get set to host the Winter Classic

.

Being involved in the community means giving to those who are less fortunate as others and for home games December 5th, 12th and 19th the Sockeyes hosting a “Food Bank Hamper Drive” where we ask that you bring a non-perishable food item to donate.

Story by Steve Erickson

For the most part All-Star games seem to be a thing of the past for the PJHL but this season they are bringing it back in hopes of watching their young talent take their game to the next level.

Both myself and Eastlink TV’s Kevin Adlem have covered this in the past and as ironic as it sounds it was also in Port Coquitlam years back.

The most recent game was hosted by the RIdge Meadows Flames when each conference played at Planet Ice in front of (roughly) 250 fans give or take a few.

That contest saw five goals scored with the Harold Brittain Conference holding a 3-2 after one.

In the first intermission the PJHL All-Star 10 puck shootout took place with the Harold Brittain Conference pulling out the victory in the skills competition as each team roster took time to shoot on both “tenders” as they traded places between the pipes.

Tom Shaw Conference got goals from Steelers Mateo Coltellaro who opened the scoring 2 and half minutes in with Delta’s Liam Visram getting the second of the game taking a 2-0 lead in a game that saw the Tom Shaw Conference grab a 14-11 win.

Starting “tender” for the Harold Brittain Conference was Port Moody’s Matthew Trulsen, eventually relieved by Pilot’s Keaton Dyck while Sockeye’s Jeremy Kelleway started for the Tom Shaw Conference.  The Harold Brittain Conference was coached by Langley’s Burt Henderson with his assistants being Thomas Koshman and the trainer Dan Mack.

Delta’s Steve Robinson was the bench boss for Tom Shaw having Delta Assistant’s Cam Cuthbert and Mike Ondzik with trainer Wayne Hubbard on the bench.

This year’s All-Star game brings the league’s best talent for an exceptional night of competitive action, as well as community celebration. 

The All-Star Game offers fans a unique opportunity to see the league’s most talented players come together in one place, while providing scouts and schools with a chance to evaluate the next wave of junior hockey talent.

Rob Toor, Governor for the Port Coquitlam Trailblazers mentioned “The Port Coquitlam Trailblazers are honored to host this year’s PJHL All-Star Game.” 

He continued “This event is not only a showcase of the incredible talent within our league, but it’s also an opportunity to bring our community together to celebrate hockey at its finest. We’re looking forward to welcoming fans, families, and scouts to the Port Coquitlam Community Centre for what promises to be a fantastic night.”

Event Details:

• Date: Monday, January 13th, 2025
• Time: 6:30 PM – 10:30 PM
• Location: Port Coquitlam Community Centre, Port Coquitlam, B.C.
• Sponsor: MMR Truck & Equipment Repair Ltd.

The PJHL All-Star Game serves as an opportunity for players to demonstrate their skills on a grand stage, drawing attention from hockey scouts, schools, and other representatives. 

This event has long been recognized as an integral part of junior hockey development and player exposure within the league.

Additional details regarding rosters, and special game-day activities will be announced in the coming weeks.

Tickets are available through Showpass at the following link: https://www.showpass.com/2025-pjhl-all-star-game-sponsored-by-mitchell-mobile/

Story by Steve Erickson

For many Thanksgiving is simply a holiday having the luxury of spending time with Family and Friends enjoying a festive holiday but the tradition goes far beyond that.

It was first started in 1621 where a group of Pilgrims held a harvest feast in Plymouth Massachusetts which was attended by members of  the Native American tribe called theWampanoag who helped them learn their new way of life.

Unlike today the feast lasted for three full days and if you fast forward to 1789 it was the First President of the United States who officially proclaimed it a national day of thanksgiving to celebrate the adoption of the US Constitution.

In the US it wasn’t until 1941 that the US congress made the holiday to be celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November.

Now it has become more of a day in which to  enjoy Family and watch NFL games both during and after Thanksgiving dinner.

We have the luxury of covering various sporting events which we are grateful to cover along with the official photography crew working with Sportswave.

I would be remiss if I failed to mention the ones behind the scenes who are Laird Allan, Mark Steffens, Wes Shaw along with Jagraj Lalli who is the newest addition to the team.

As with our mandate, play within the rules, play safe, keep any aggressive and negative bullying out of the game and above all if you’re young and starting out listen to your coaches.

If you are an up-and-coming young official don’t get discouraged by all the negative comments from the “peanut gallery” better known as the parents.

While their intention is good, many are there to cheer on their Son or Daughter which we applaud but a note from the wise “Let them be kids and have fun at a young age and always offer positive thoughts – encourage rather than discourage.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving from the Sportswave crew and if you have a sport in your area you want to promote feel free to let us know about it.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!

Story by Steve Erickson

Regardless of who you talk with in hockey circles, everyone has a different opinion to the recent announcement of the NCAA regarding players.

If anyone thinks this is over don’t count on it just yet given the recent exit of players moving on to other leagues.

The controversy initially began when the BCHL pulled out of Hockey Canada in the summer of 2023 simply wanting a self governance situation and depending on who you asked I was told “can you blame them” being purely a business decision.

As of January of 2024 there are six out of the top ten players in the BCHL are American players also noting that thirteen of the top twenty scorers are American. 

We are hearing that one of the Canadian born players scoring in the top twenty are from BC with the other top twenty Canadian players are from Ontario and Quebec.

The most recent press release from the BCHL is below for your reading:

The BCHL’s Board of Governors met on Wednesday to discuss strategic planning in response to the recent NCAA eligibility change.

Earlier this year, the league’s Governors struck an Ad Hoc Committee to create a strategy around the upcoming rule change and that committee presented its findings so far.

“All of our committees have been working tirelessly to ensure this league is in the best position possible in the ever-changing landscape of junior hockey,” said BCHL Board Chairman Richard Murphy. 

He continued “We had a very positive discussion at Wednesday’s meeting and it reinforced the fact that our Board room remains committed to providing the best path for young athletes to develop into NCAA Division I hockey players. Our high standards of education, along with our track record of providing elite on-ice development, means that we will continue to produce college-bound athletes for years to come.”

BCHL Commissioner Steven Cocker mentioned to the media “There’s no doubt that this rule change has altered the landscape of junior hockey, but as our league has always done, we will adapt to the new regulations and continue to thrive.” 

He continued “The fact is, only a small percentage of players have left our league due to this change and our teams are bringing in highly skilled athletes from other leagues to take their place. 

Currently the league is without any draft format noting that the BCHL has always supported players’ choice arrangement noting that they “will always be in favour of athletes doing what they think is best for their development.”

The BCHL’s mandate going forward remains:

1. Unity & Growth
2. Players Choice
3. Academics
4. Independence
5. Meeting the needs of our athletes and of NCAA Division I programs

For more details on the mandate, and other information related to the eligibility change, visit the BCHL’s Frequently Asked Questions page.

Story by Steve Erickson

Earlier in the week I had a chance to get introduced to yet another new program set up for young girls to play hockey and is a program that Sportswave are interested to get involved with as they move forward.

Initially I had thought, given all the current programs for young girls who are behind this program, how it began and where is it located in the lower mainland?

All solid questions that I wasn’t the only one pondering these questions given that there were various reporters in attendance as well as the newest RCMP Mascot Sergeant Bison.

It was to start but due to the late arrival of the young girls it officially got underway roughly fourth five minutes late.

I was fortunate to catch up and chat one-on-one after all other interviews with Moezine Hasham the Founder Executive Director of Hockey 4 Youthwho was more than pleased to share his thoughts with Sportswave about this exceptional program. 

The program is called “Hockey 4 Youth” and ironically the Canucks Kids along with Osler and Regency are additional sponsors for the program which was kicked-off at the North Surrey Sport and Leisure Centre.

This is obviously a venue where the young ladies aren’t familiar with but soon will be with this new endeavor being called “Hockey For Youth” which is  a charitable foundation that was started in 2015 in Toronto.

I was told that the reason for starting the program was to foster social inclusion for newcomers and kids in teens with the main reason being that hockey is so exclusive and out of reach.

That being said, not being able to have the finances or your culture or gender won’t allow you to fit in this allows you to play in a manner to make it free, inclusive, safe and fun particularly as an after school program that fosters social inclusion.

They understand that over eighty percent feel socially included and ninety-one percent feel better about their emotional, mental and physical health. 

Adding that eighty-seven percent are building trusting relationships with their friends, their peers, staff, volunteers all of which boldly open the doors when they start to see the impact knowing that the only barrier should be the boards.

The concept for my money is exceptional to which I wanted to know how it  came to be from an “idea” which he replied “ I initially worked in the corporate world working in the corporate philanthropy side and always had a passion for giving back.”

Having the ability to give back while combining the two namely his love for hockey while building something special and unique was important especially since he was a youngster of refugee parents and learning how to play the game with donated equipment at Killarney Minor was special for him

Being in the second year working with Princess Margrett Secondary he pondered how he could attract young girls on the ice  knowing that boy’s have a lot of sporting opportunities while young girls have virtually nothing.  

A recent report called “A Rally For Sport” which was put out by Canadian Women & Sport organization noting that there are a million fewer opportunities for girls that see’s one-in-five are dropping out of sport once they reach their teen years.

So the question arose how do you get them on the ice, can they be supplied with free equipment and can they be provided with a fun and safe inclusive environment giving them a chance that is currently out of reach for so many.

Even in today’s world I come across some small-minded individuals who think that girls shouldn’t be allowed to play which is so far fetched it’s like going back to the dark-ages.\

This event was attended by twenty-seven young girls who are part of a larger network with girls programs in Prince George and also starting two on Vancouver Island with additional programs in Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto.

Given the expansion they know and understand that the program is working and that it has an appetite for the program with a goal of growing the program and continuing to serve the community.

They have reached out to various companies who are looking to score a winning product and locally they have the “Canucks For Kids Fund”  which is a huge partner.

Initially the young girls are put on the ice learning the fundamentals, but when will they actually start playing was one of the questions from one of the young girls, so you can see they are already thinking competitively.

Currently Vancouver only has one program with the goal being to expand in other areas such as Burnaby, Vancouver with the idea of having future competition which currently simply don’t exist

Out of the twenty-seven they only have five returning from last year having a “new core” that the program wants to teach them all the basics having a “pipe dream” of eventually having interarea play.

The returning players are one’s that they are looking at being team leaders knowing that everyone learns from each other.

When I looked around it was noted that they have young First Nations girls, others from Pakistan, India, Panama and Benin which is located in West Africa formerly known as Dahoney and a major cotton producer.

This mix also removes several barriers inside schools as they might lean toward someone within your own community but this program opens doors to open communication.

Living in a very pluralistic society knowing that the Ismaili Muslim community talk about pluralism from various places and different walks of life and this program is yet another way in which to foster social inclusion.

I asked if he has spoken to the Provincial NDP Government yet as of yet he has not in part due to the size of the organization knowing that they face other barriers in front of them.

This year they plan to work with roughly 450 young girls across Canada so realistically speaking they “aren’t quite there yet” but soon to be.

As you can understand, we all know how important it is for the government to start to look at the impact on the communities they live in.

As we all understand, everyone faces lots of barriers in today’s world knowing that the one area that puts stress on the back-burner is playing sports.

If you are looking to additional info you can visit their website at “www.hockey4youth.org 

For additional information.

This is a program that has its sights set on promoting sport for young girls and we both found it ironic that years back I actually ref’d his ball hockey games for the Ismali Ball Hockey League.

Small World!!!

Story by Steve Erickson

Halloween came early for the Sockeyes considering they served up treats over the Aldergrove Kodiaks in a contest that saw Beaudy Beaudin notched a hat-trick scoring three goals in the win.

Notching three goals seemed easy considering that the third goal was on a penalty shot in the last minute of the spirited match-up that saw the officials assess numerous penalties to each team.

Richmond skated not only to a 7-1 win that saw them grab all three stars with Beaudy Beaudin named first star, Teo Lin second star and Charlie Swartz third star while Oliver Read went home with the win.

Next up saw them visit the Trailblazers in a contest where Read was given the night off sending Mathias Hasselmann in net where he stopped 35 of the 37 shots he faced in the 4-2 win.

This game saw Port Coquitlam jump out to a 2-0 lead early in the first only to have Alex Kielmann grab two with the first at 7:36 while the second and tying goal was at 14:57 on the power play.

This match-up wasn’t as spirited as the previous game but this had more shots on goal with Sockeyes Mathias Hasselmann turning aside 35 of the 37 he faced while Keiran Caughran stopped 41 of the 44 he faced.

Alex Kielmann was named games first star while Charlie Gardiner and Bailey Ewonus were named second and third respectively.

Returning home was the annual Remembrance Day Ceremony game with the White Rock Whalers visiting the “Fish Tank” stealing a 3-2 win in a fast paced spirited game in front of over 300 fans.

The Sockeyes welcomed the flag party from the 195 Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps Bicknell on the ice followed by the trumpeter who played the Last Post followed by one minute of silence which he then played Rouse.

The building was in “awe” with the professionalism shown by the young cadets that might have some join the Armed Forces as a career.

Our thanks to the 609 Steveston Squadron Trumpeter and the 195 Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps for their participation that saw the dignitaries step on the ice.

First on the ice was the Commanding Officer of the 195 Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps Bicknell, Lefttenant Olga Kapustina.

She was followed by the Commanding Officer of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets 609 Steveston Squadron Major Amy Mei and third was the Commanding Officer of 2381 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps, Captain Raven McCallum.

Both team Captains came together for the ceremonial face-off which saw the teams face the flag for the anthem after which the fans gave the color party a resounding applause.

Once over it was game on that saw Sockeyes Dawson Sucke open the scoring at 4:06 controlling the first only until 19:55 when the Whalers tied the game bringing a face-paced first period to an end.

This contest saw Armann Kaila get the start for Richmond who stopped 38 of the 41 shots he faced while the Whalers started Garin Wickstrom who turned aside 40 of the 42 he faced.

This game had all the hype for another Remembrance Day Ceremony game that continues to draw a solid crowd each year.

The Sockeyes return home for upcoming games each Thursday with the opening face-off at 7:05 pm.

Story by Steve Erickson

As a hockey fan I continue to be impressed with the individuals who are selected to enter the Hockey Hall of Fame each November.

There is no question that the selection committee has  to make interesting and difficult decisions as to who they nominate to enter the Hall thereby joining other prestigious individuals.

The event is held on the Friday evening prior to the annual game that see’s Montreal travel to Toronto in an original six match-up which continues to be a sold-out event with tickets grabbed early.

While we promote all sports its important to Canada’s National Winter Sport that has embraced thousands to play the game not only in Canada but around the globe giving both young girls and boys to play the game they love.

Story by Steve Erickson

The following is the press release from the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto and we appreciate the chance to share it with you.

Enjoy the read:

Mike Gartner, Chair of the Hockey Hall of Fame Selection Committee, announced that seven individuals have been elected to Hockey Hall of Fame Honoured Membership, in both the Player and Builder Category. 

The vote took place today at the annual meeting of the Selection Committee in Toronto.

“The Hockey Hall of Fame is proud to welcome these hockey legends as Honoured Members,” said Gartner. “Their contributions to the game of hockey are well documented and their election to the Hockey Hall of Fame is richly deserved.”

In the Builder Category, two individuals were elected.

Hockey has been Colin Campbell’s life for the past 52 years: as a player, coach, and for the last 25 years as Senior Executive Vice President at the NHL’s Hockey Operations, Officiating, and Central Scouting departments. 

Raised in Tillsonburg, ON, Colin has been involved in all facets of the game, including winning a Stanley Cup in 1994 as associate coach of the New York Rangers.

After his playing career, David Poile began his journey as an NHL executive with the Atlanta Flames in 1972. He moved with the Flames to Calgary for two seasons before being named the GM of the Washington Capitals in 1982, a job he held for 15 seasons. 

In 1997, David moved to Nashville as GM, a position he held until 2023. 

A member of the USA Hockey Hall of Fame, he is also the winningest and longest-tenured GM in NHL history.

“I’m happy for my family and for the life I have been able to live through hockey,” said Poile. “Thanks to the Selection Committee for this tremendous honour.”

In the Player Category, five individuals were elected.

A native of Saint Paul, Minnesota, Natalie Darwitz played for Eagan H.S. before joining the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers in 2002. 

She led Gophers to a national championship over Harvard in 2005, scoring the winning goal. Internationally, she played for the United States at the 2002, 2006 and 2010 Olympic Games. 

Natalie also represented her country in eight world championships, winning Best Forward in 2008.

Pavel Datsyuk was born in Sverdlovsk, Russia on July 20, 1978. After first playing in Russia he joined the Detroit Red Wings in 2001 and played 14 NHL seasons, scoring 314 goals and 604 assists in 953 games. 

A four-time Lady Byng Trophy winner, he also won Stanley Cups with Detroit in 2002 and 2008. 

In international play, Pavel played for Russia at the Olympics in 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014 (where he was team captain) and 2018. He won Olympic gold in 2018 and bronze in 2002.

“I have been lucky in my hockey life to this point,” said Datsyuk. “I would like to thank all of the people who have helped me along my way.”

Jeremy Roenick was born in Boston, MA, and went from Thayer Academy to the Hull Olympiques of the QMJHL. 

In 1988 he made the jump to the NHL with the Chicago Blackhawks, where he played eight seasons before moving to the Phoenix Coyotes. 

In his 20 NHL seasons he played for five different teams. Internationally, he represented the United States on numerous occasions, earning a silver medal at the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City. 

Jeremy finished his career as the second-highest American born goal scorer in NHL history. 

By the time he retired in 2008-09, Jeremy was the third-highest American born goal scorer in NHL history (behind Mike Modano and Keith Tkachuk).

“I’m so happy, I can’t thank everyone who was behind this honour enough,” said Roenick. “I’m at a loss for words and I’m never at a loss for words. Getting over this last hockey hurdle means so much to me.”

Born in Sicamous, BC, Shea Weber starred for the Kelowna Rockets of the WHL, winning a Memorial Cup in 2004. 

After his junior career he turned pro with the Nashville Predators in 2006 and was team captain for six seasons. In international play, he won gold with Canada at the Olympics in 2010 and 2014. 

Overall, Shea is a member of one of hockey’s most select clubs winning the Western Hockey League twice, a Memorial Cup, World Juniors, World Championships and the Olympics.

Krissy Wendell was born in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota and led Park Center High School to a state high school championship in 2000. 

Our second Golden Gopher Inductee, she became the first Minnesota and WCHA member to win the Patty Kazmaier Award in 2005. 

Internationally, she played for Team USA from 1999 to 2007 – 147 total games, including 106 goals, six IIHF World Championships, including 2005 where she was MVP in the United States first ever gold medal win. 

Krissy represented the United States at the 2002 and 2006 Olympics Games, serving as Captain in 2006.

The 2024 Hockey Hall of Fame Induction Celebration is scheduled on Monday, November 11, in Toronto (preceded by the traditional slate of “Induction Weekend” events beginning on Friday, November 8, including the annual “Hockey Hall of Fame Game” hosted by the Toronto Maple Leafs and Sunday’s “Hyundai Hockey Hall of Fame Legends Classic” featuring Honoured Members Jayna Hefford and Eric Lindros as captains). 

Stay tuned for further announcements in the upcoming weeks which will be posted here at HHOF.com and other HHOF social media platforms.

Thanks to Kelly Masse, Hockey Hall of Fame for the press release
416-933-8212

kmasse@hhof.com / @kellyhockeyhall

Story by Steve Erickson

If you ask some in the hockey circles they will tell you that the decision between the CHL and the NCAA had to reach a solution and while this might not be the final word, we’ll have to wait and see how it all plays out?

We received two statements from both the WHL and the CHL and we wanted to share their remarks.

Enjoy the read:

Western Hockey League Commissioner Dan Near today issued the following statement regarding changes to the eligibility rules for NCAA men’s hockey:

Finally making the decision that took far too long, CHL players are now eligible to compete in NCAA D1 Hockey beginning in the 2025-26 season. 

This marks a historic outcome that will be celebrated by all who have invested in the on- and off-ice development of young players.  

This decision creates opportunity for the brightest elite hockey players in Western Canada and the Western U.S. to now choose the WHL as the preferred destination for their development from the age of 16-20, without fear of compromising their NCAA eligibility. 

Clearly it’s the players who drive the WHL in all of the 22 Clubs and if you ask many they will tell you that they enjoyed their time playing in the league noting the overall coaching techniques they learned.

In addition some that we have spoken to will tell you that they enjoyed their billet families while living away from home. 

We received the following press release from the league. Enjoy the read:

We are thrilled that upon graduation from the WHL, players will have additional options as they pursue the next step in their personal and hockey journey.  

We look forward to the opportunity to welcome a new wave of talent and we take great pride in our responsibility to support all WHL players in the pursuit of their goals – be that on the ice, in the classroom, and as contributing members of the community.

Players completing their eligibility with the WHL will continue to receive access to our leading post-secondary scholarship, funded by our 22 Member Clubs.  

In the 2023-24 season, the education bills for over 300 WHL Alumni were paid directly by the League and Clubs totalling in excess of $3 million in funding. The WHL is proud to continue this practice.

The best in the West can now look forward to chasing their dreams alongside one another in the world’s finest development league for junior hockey players – the Western Hockey League.

The following is from the CHL

The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) along with its Member Leagues, the Western Hockey League (WHL), Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), are aware of the rule change announced earlier today by the NCAA which alters the eligibility of CHL players allowing them to play NCAA Division 1 Hockey starting next season.

While we will take time to fully review this rule change, we believe this is a positive development that will provide our players with more opportunities to continue their hockey and academic careers following their time in the CHL.

 It will also give young players and their families more options in choosing their development path, which includes opening up the CHL – the best development hockey league in the world for players aged 16-20 – to more players worldwide.

For 55 consecutive years, the CHL has been the number one supplier of talent to the NHL. 

At the beginning of the 2024-25 NHL campaign, there were 390 CHL graduates on NHL rosters, marking once again the most of any development league in the world. Additionally, at last summer’s 2024 NHL Draft, the CHL led the way as 88 CHL players were drafted including 14 in the first round.

Stay tuned – many think this is only the start!!

Story by Steve Erickson

Coming off an impressive 9-1 win over the Surrey Knights the Sockeyes would take their winning streak on the road playing against the expansion Coastal Tsunami for a pair of games in Gibsons.

As with most expansion clubs it’s hard to know their game plan either on offense or defense let alone how they have studied their game video.

Credit has to be given to the Coastal Tsunami for reaching out to the community to fill the seats for the game and in conversation with some of the Sockeyes they were not just impressed but shocked. 

Friday’s game saw the Sockeyes start Mathias Hasselmann who faced 22 shots stopping 20 while the Tsunami went with Nick Peters who was pounded with 82 shots stopping 79.

The game itself was a spirited match-up with eight penalties assessed to Richmond and nine to the Tsunami.

Beauty Beaudin collected his ninth goal of the season while on the PP at 10:18 of the first only to have Nathan Hughes get his first of the season while also on the PP.

The game remained tied until 14:19 of the second when Michael McIntyre notched his first while also on the PP giving Richmond a 2-1 lead after two periods.

Beaudin got his 10th of the season and second of the game at 3:27 allowing them to hold a 3-1 lead but only until 17:58 when Istvanffy pulled them with one and held on for a 3-2 win.

Game two of the match-up saw the Sockeyes send Armaan Kaila in the blue paint facing 38 shots stopping 36 while the Tsunami started Finn Morrison who faced 35 shots turning aside 33.

The teams traded goals in the first with the Tsunami opening the scoring with Sockeyes Captain Teo Lin even the contest at 12:44 wrapping up 20 minutes with the game tied.

Lin got his 9th of the season at 2:52 only to have Nottingham grab a PP marker ending the second again tied but the third saw Nicholas Noren got a shorthanded marker sending the Sockeyes home winning both games 

Playing a pair of games took its toll on the team returning home having to recover from injuries would see them face the Ice Hawks with Oliver Read playing a full sixty facing 44 shots turning aside 38 while Delta went with Merik Erickson who stopped34 of the 36 he faced.

The first saw Delta jump out to a 3-2 lead with Noren (13) and Shin (8) scoring for the Sockeyes only to have Delta grab one in the second, two in the third while Sockeye Charlie Swartz got his third of the season.

While Read failed to get a game star he was named third star for the broadcast on Eastlink TV for his impressive performance.  

Returning home saw them pull out a 6-3 win over Mission City followed by a 8-4 win over the Steelers.  Scoring isn’t an issue that saw them manage 23 goals allowing 17 in the above games; but winning means playing a full sixty and as a unit plus getting healthy bodies back in the line-up.