Linemates one day and playoff combatants the next. Such is the scenario for Mak Barden and Anthony Brito.
When the Delta Ice Hawks were eliminated from the Pacific International Junior Hockey League playoffs two weeks ago, it didn't take long for B.C. Hockey League teams to scoop up the high-scoring forwards.
Barden joined the Alberni Bulldogs and wasted little time in making an impact. The PIJHL regular season scoring champion notched a pair of goals in his debut then delivered the game five overtime winner as the Bulldogs slipped past the Victoria Grizzlies 4-3.
The victory sent Alberni to the Conference finals where the Eagles and Brito were waiting. The 21year-old was inserted into Surrey's line-up to provide a physical presence. The North Delta native also provides a touch around the net, having finished third in PIJHL scoring.
The Eagles took a commanding lead in the best-of-seven series with a overtime 3-2 win on Monday night in Alberni. A victory last night would send them on to likely face defending champion Penticton Vees in the BCHL finals.
Meanwhile, the PIJHL championship series confirmed the Ice Hawks were the No. 2 team in the league this season. After being pushed to seven games by their cross-river rival in the Tom Shaw Conference final, the Richmond Sockeyes made short work of the Harold Brittain Conference winner Aldergrove Kodiaks, sweeping the best-of-seven final.
The Sockeyes now head to Courtenay next week for the Cyclone Taylor Cup Junior "B" provincial championships. Richmond faces Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League champions Victoria Cougars in its opening game before taking on the host Comox Valley Glacier Kings.
The Sockeyes then play Kootenay league champion Castlegar Rebels. The top two teams will meet for the gold medal and a berth in the Keystone Cup Western Canadian Championship, slated for later this month in St. Malo, Manitoba.
B.C. Hockey announced last week the Abbotsford Pilots will be hosting the 2014 Keystone Cup.
The tournament was last hosted in B.C. in 2010 by the Kamloops Storm of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League.
The Delta Ice Hawks made it to the westerns in 2006 and went on to finish third.
The Ice Hawks announced the team's annual Prospects Showcase will be held May 6 to 9 at the Richmond Ice Centre.
The camp costs $175. Register at www.deltaicehawks.com.
