The Richmond Sockeyes stretched their lead atop the Shaw Conference to four points, with a game in hand, and knocked off the Delta Ice Hawks by a score of 3-1 tonight. It was a fast paced, well played game tonight at Minoru Arena, that saw the Sockeyes control much of the first 40 minutes, before the Ice Hawks came to life and dominated the final period. Kootenay Alder stopped 33 of 34 shots for the win, but Scott Lapp was equally good at the other end. These teams face each other once more before the end of the schedule, but Delta will need a couple of Richmond losses in order to make the game mean something to the standings. With tonight's victory, the Sockeyes have their destiny firmly in their grasp.
The Ridge Meadows Flames scored three goals in the first period, added three more in the second, and cruised to a convincing 6-0 road victory over the Mission City Outlaws. The win breaks a short losing streak for the Flames, who are 4-4-2 in their last ten games, and sets them up for a big game tomorrow evening at home. The Flames will face their first round playoff opponent, the Aldergrove Kodiaks, at Cam Neely Arena. For Mission City, it was another tough loss. Their next game is Saturday night in Port Moody versus the Panthers.
