Maybe the Delta Ice Hawks need a few more Teddy Bear Toss Nights.
Plush toys for DeltaAssist’s annual Christmas toy depot rained down onto the Ladner Leisure Centre ice just four minutes into Tuesday’s game with the Aldergrove Kodiaks and the goals just kept coming in a 9-0 Ice Hawks victory.
The offensive explosion came four days after GM and head coach Steve Robinson completed a pair of deals to help ignite a team that had dropped four of its last five games and was struggling to score. The response couldn’t have been any better.
Reigning Pacific Junior Hockey League rookie-of-the-year Marcus Pantazis was acquired from the Richmond Sockeyes for goaltender Braedy Euerby. Playing on a line Jordin Kojima and Mitch Lavoie, the trio combined for seven points, including a hat trick for Kojima.
The other new arrival — Cameron Luk via the Port Moody Panthers — also added a goal.
It was rookie Brice Kemp who opened the scoring and the 17-year-old went on to enjoy the biggest night of his brief junior career with a hat trick.
Robinson also made the trade with Richmond to free up more starts for his best player — goaltender Jordy Engelson. The third-year veteran responded with a 30-save performance and his second shutout of the season as the Kodiaks actually outshot Delta 30-28.
“It’s mixed feelings for sure regarding Braedy,” said Robinson of the Ladner native. “We found him a place to play close to home where he can get way more starts and in doing so satisfy the Giants, Braedy, (Hawks back-up) Hunter (Tarves) and most importantly Jordy. He is our best player and we really need to get him into a rhythm by giving him more starts.”
Blueliner Luka Zilic and team captain Mark Epshtein with his team-leading 16th goal of the season rounded out the scoring.
The Hawks (12-9-3-2) will look to continue the momentum as they enter a hectic stretch in their season with games in Abbotsford and White Rock on Friday and Saturday respectively before the Sockeyes come to Ladner next Tuesday at 7:35 p.m.
