With the way the Pacific Junior Hockey League playoffs are unfolding, the Delta Ice Hawks may be in no hurry to get back to the Ladner Leisure Centre.
With the immediate future of their home rink uncertain after the collapse of the building's east side stucco facade last Thursday, the Hawks focused on the task at hand in North Vancouver over the weekend to produce a pair of huge road wins.
Trailing the best-of-seven series after a 4-3 game one loss to the Wolfpack at the LLC, Delta came through with a 4-1 triumph on Friday night and followed it up 24 hours later with a 6-5 overtime thriller. Game four was slated for last night at Sungod Arena in North Delta.
Hawks head coach Derek Chichak wasn't kidding when he suggested affiliate players could have significant roles with his hockey team come playoff time. Delta Wild U18 member Colton Kroeker has been nothing short of spectacular so far in the series.
The Regina Pats prospect, who turned 17 last month, had a hat trick and one assist in the game two win, then added two more goals and two assists on Saturday. He has been inserted on the club's top line, playing along side 2012-13 league scoring champion Mak Barden and Connor Fortems.
Kroeker is enjoying an outstanding season with the Wild in the Canadian School Sports Hockey League with 58 points, including 24 goals, in 28 games. Ironically, his Wild teammate from a year ago - Vancouver Giants prospect John Welsey - is a good bet to be named the league's top rookie after leading the Richmond Sockeyes in regular season scoring.
To enjoy success in the playoffs it also takes unlikely heroes and Mark Trotman has been just that for his hometown team.
After scoring just twice in 35 regular season games, the Ladner rookie has matched his season output in three playoff games, including the overtime winner Saturday.
Brandon Gaunt, Barden and captain David Rudin had the other goals Saturday. Veteran goaltender Alex Anhert has got the call for all three games and was outstanding Friday, making 34 saves as the Wolfpack outshot Delta 35-27.
Icing... Including three regular season games, the Ice Hawks have yet to lose to the Wolf Pack in regulation time at the Harry Jerome Recreation Centre with a 4-0-0-1 record. The second place Wolf Pack are now 12-10-2-0 at home this year and actually have a far better road record (15-6-0-2).
