The Delta Ice Hawks’ scoring depth was on full display as they captured the Tunnel Cup regular season rival series with the Richmond Sockeyes thanks to a decisive road win on Thursday night.
The Hawks cruised to an 8-2 victory to win the season series 3-1 and take over sole possession of top spot in the Pacific Junior Hockey League’s Tom Shaw Conference with a 30-5-0-0 record.
Eleven days earlier, Delta got a hat trick from Brayden Sinclair, including the game winner with 64 second remaining, to edge the Sockeyes 7-6. This time, the rookie standout and the team’s leading scorer didn’t even crack the scoresheet, the same goes for No. 2 scorer Carson Merriman, yet the Hawks produced plenty of goals on a whopping 59 shots.
Teo Lin’s second of the night in the late stages of the second period made it 4-2 after 40 minutes. However, the outcome was sealed when captain Alex Scouras scored 53 seconds into the third, then completed his hat trick at the 4:28 mark.
Conner Merriman finished with a pair while Colin Jang, Yuji Akimoto and Carson Hemenway also scored.
The Ice Hawks won all three meetings at Minoru Arenas after dropping the season home opener to Richmond back in early September.
“To win three straight on their home ice feels significant,” said Delta GM and head coach Steve Robinson. “We have that luxury of getting production from three lines and two power play units that is tough for teams to match.”
Delta now turns its attention to a home-and-home series with the Port Moody Panthers (11-25-1-0) including a return match on Tuesday (7:30 p.m.) in Ladner.
