Richmond Sockeyes bolted down the hatches to climb back into their opening round Pacific Junior Hockey League playoff series against the Grandview Steelers.
After a pair of losses at Minoru Arenas, the Sockeyes received a 19 save performance from Kurt Russell and turned in superb performance defensively in a 2-0 game three win on Sunday. The series resumes tonight at the Burnaby Winter Club, before the teams return to Richmond for game four on Thursday at 7 p.m.
Captain Jordan Andrews’ power play goal in the late stages of the second period proved to be the game winner. Mac Colasimone added an empty netter with 42 seconds remaining. Richmond limited to Steelers to just five shots on goal in the final period.
The result came less than 24 hours after the Sockeyes outshot Grandview by a 40-19 margin yet were on the wrong end of a 5-2 decision. Adam Rota, son of former Vancouver Canuck Darcy Rota, led the visitors with a goal and three assists as they opened up a commanding 4-1 lead after two periods.
Troy Sutherland and Trevor Lima scored for Richmond.
The Steelers opened the best-of-seven series with a 4-2 win. Timothy Chow broke a 2-2 deadlock early in the third, then added an empty netter. Daniel Oakley and Matt Bissett scored for the hosts.
