Making the most of a second chance. That’s what the Richmond Sockeyes intend to do as hosts of the Cyclone Taylor Cup provincial junior “B” hockey championships.
The four-team tournament gets underway Thursday afternoon and concludes with Sunday’s bronze and gold medal games at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. respectively. Richmond is joined by the champions from the three leagues in B.C. — Vancouver Island (Campbell River Storm), Kootenay International (Kimberley Dynamiters) and Pacific Junior (Delta Ice Hawks).
The Sockeyes were bounced from the PJHL semi-finals back on March 11 by the Ice Hawks. Head coach Brett Reusch gave his team a week off then created a training camp type environment by bringing in major midget affiliates for expanded inter-squad games to challenge his players.
“The boys are itching and ready to go. It’s been a while since they played a meaningful game,” said Reusch. “We invited up some affiliates that probably can fit into this roster right now. It’s pushed the guys to work hard every practice and it’s been good. Almost a main camp feeling if you know what I mean.”
The Cyclone Taylor Cup is essentially a four-day sprint with no room for “bounce back” performances.
The Sockeyes know they can go toe-to-toe with the Ice Hawks after a season full of close games. However, the rivalry goes on the back-burner with two huge encounters right out of the gate.
Recent history is not on the side of the Sockeyes or Ice Hawks.
PJHL teams have been on the podium just once in the last three championships and that was when host Mission knocked off North Vancouver in the bronze medal game in 2015. The KIJHL has won three of the last four tournaments, while Campbell River is making its fourth consecutive appearance, highlighted by a gold medal win three years ago.
The Storm and Dynamiters are run more similar to junior “A” programs with players billeted.
Campbell River’s roster does feature some local talent but also players from the Lower Mainland and as far away as Calgary and Prince George. The Dynamiters are able to lean on Alberta products and drew over 1,000 fans to all three home games in their final series win over Revelstoke.
“Everybody wants to play in front of a sellout crowd every night and small towns can do that. It can be nice living away from home too if that’s what you want to do,” said Reusch. “It’s a good opportunity for the PJHL this year with two teams representing.
“We don’t really know those other teams but Delta was (ranked) No. 1 in the province and we know them well. I think if we can put together a solid effort we can beat the best of them. This is an older team and this is the last kick of the cat for many of them. I think you are going to see lot of desperate hockey from a lot of our players.
The Sockeyes will take an overall season record of 38-13-1-2 into the tournament. Here’s a brief look at their three round-robin opponents.
Thursday, April 12
7:30 p.m. versus Campbell River Storm (48-9-4-3)
The Vancouver Island powerhouse is the only entry with previous Cyclone Taylor experience. Ten players were on last year’s silver medalist team. The Storm are built similar to the Ice Hawks with plenty of youth and speed in their line-up. Hometown product Dawson Frank, 18, led VIJHL in playoff scoring with 28 points in 15 games, including 17 goals.
Friday, April 13
7:30 p.m. versus Kimberley Dynamiters (54-12-1-1)
The Kootenay International champions were the final team to qualify for the tournament, defeating Revelstoke on Friday night to win the series in six games. Matt Davies and Brock Palmer led the KIJHL in playoff scoring with 26 points each in 22 games. James Farmer topped all goal scorers with 13. Kimberley’s lone Cyclone Taylor Cup victory was 37 years ago. The Dynamiters did lose the 2015 gold medal game to Campbell River.
Saturday, April 14
7:30 p.m. versus Delta Ice Hawks (49-5-0-5)
The Ice Hawks won their fourth ever PJHL title by defeating Ridge Meadows in six games back on March 28. Richmond native and captain Gary Dhaliwal led Delta in playoff scoring with 19 points in 15 games. If past meetings between these rivals are any indication, expect a tight defensive battle. Both teams will be trying to avoid what happened three years ago in Mission — a meaningless all-PJHL final round-robin encounter with their destiny to the Sunday morning bronze medal game already determined.
Tickets for Cyclone Taylor Cup round-robin games are $12 (adults), $10 (seniors and students) and $8 for children. The gold and bronze game prices are $15, $12 and $10 respectively. Visit cyclonetaylorcup.ca for more information.
