The Delta Ice Hawks enter the final week of the regular season with their playoff hopes still alive, but just barely.
After being within reach of about four teams 10 days ago, reeling in the Ridge Meadows Flames for a crossover spot in the Harold Brittian Conference is the Hawks’ last hope.
They will need to beat the White Rock Whalers in their final home game on Tuesday (7:35 p.m.) at the Ladner Leisure Centre and defeat the Flames in regulation time on Friday night in Maple Ridge. It will also take Ridge Meadows losing in regulation next Saturday in White Rock.
The Flames (21-18-0-3) are currently three points ahead of Delta (18-18-3-3) and would get the nod if the teams finished tied in the standings.
The Hawks find themselves in such a predicament thanks to a sub. 500 record (10-13-0-1) since early November that includes some crippling road losses — none more so than a 4-3 setback to the 11-30-0-2 Port Moody Panthers back on Jan. 25.
The difference in that game was Delta surrendering three shorthanded goals. The Flames blasted the Panthers 7-0 on Saturday night.
The Hawks did rebound to double the Langley Trappers 4-2 last Tuesday but fell 24 hours later by the same score on the road to the Aldergrove Kodiaks.
Jordy Engleson made 38 saves in a losing effort with his team being outshot 42-26.
