The Delta Ice Hawks moved a step closer to locking up second place in the Tom Shaw Conference and an opening round playoff date with their cross-town rival after pounding the Ridge Meadows Flames 8-1 last Friday.
The victory gave the Ice Hawks (27-7-2-1) a nine point cushion over the third place North Delta Devils (22-12-4-0) with a game in hand. The Devils are also comfortably in their position, 13 points clear of the North Vancouver Wolf Pack who were scheduled to visit the Ice Hawks last night.
Third-year forward Anthony Brito continued his breakout season against the Flames with a hat trick. The 19-year-old now sits eighth in league scoring with 44 points, including 22 goals, easily surpassing his career best of 23 points a year ago.
Aaron Merrick scored twice, while John Proctor and Kody Botterhill each added a goal and an assist. Rookie Matthew Holowko scored his first goal of the season. Spencer Traher, Cody Smith, Dave Rudin and Bryon Maxwell each chipped in with a pair of assists.
Traher, who returned to the line-up last week from an upper body injury, currently enjoys a four point lead atop the Pacific International Junior Hockey League scoring race ahead of Aldergrove's Thomas Hardy.
Richmond's Jeremy Hamaguchi is five points back. Icing...
The Ice Hawks wrap up a home-and-home series on Saturday when they travel to North Vancouver to visit the Wolf Pack.
They return home next Tuesday to face the league-leading Richmond Sockeyes for the final time in league play. Game time is 7: 30 p.m.
