The Richmond Sockeyes got goals from nine different players, including a hat-trick by Jake Roder, and blasted the Ridge Meadows Flames 11-2. The victory clinches first place in the Tom Shaw Conference for the Sockeyes who will now face the North Delta Devils in the first round of the playoffs. Richmond dominated the game from the beginning, out-shooting Ridge Meadows 20-3 in the first period, but Flames goalie RJ Bruni was outstanding and held the Flames in the game until midway through the second period. Eventually, the Sockeyes broke through, scoring six goals in the third period and finishing the game with an astounding 65 shots on goal. The Flames complete their regular season tomorrow night at home versus Mission City.
The Mission City Outlaws clinched the final playoff spot in the Harold Brittain Conference with a upset victory over the Delta Ice Hawks tonight in Mission. The Outlaws, who were out-shot 53-22 in regulation time, took the Hawks into double-overtime before winning 3-2. The victory means that the Outlaws have eliminated Port Moody from the playoffs and will face the Abbotsford Pilots in a first round series beginning Tuesday night in Abbotsford. The Ice Hawks chances of winning the Shaw Conference race were dashed earlier in the evening when Richmond won their game. Delta will settle for second place and face the North Vancouver Wolf Pack in the first round of the playoffs.
