Sockeyes first out of gate at Cyclone Taylor Championship
By The Nelson Daily Sports
By The Nelson Daily Sports
Richmond is the first team out of the gate at the 2011 Cyclone Taylor Cup in Fernie.
A goal by Rudi Thorsteinson, his second of the game, with 52 seconds remaining in the game sparked the Sockeyes to a thrilling 4-3 victory over KIJHL champion Osoyoos Coyotes Thursday in round robin action at the Memorial Arena.
Richmond, Pacific International Junior Hockey League winners, top the Cyclone Taylor standings with two points.
Host Fernie Ghostriders and Vancouver Island champion Peninsula Panthers are tied for second after the teams played to a 3-3 tie in Thursday’s late game.
After a scoreless first period, the Osoyoos and Richmond entered the third period tied at 2-2.
Brayden Low gave the Sockeyes a 3-2 advantage with a shorthanded tally early in the third period.
Josh Gray tied the game for Osoyoos midway through the period before Thorsteinson put the puck past Mr. Everything Kyle Laslo in the Dogs’ net.
Jeremy Hamaguchi, leading Richmond with three points, also scored for Richmond. Sam Nigg and Troy Quintal replied for Osoyoos.
In the late game Cale Wright’s power play goal in the final two minutes lifted the Riders into the tie.
Thomas Abenante scored twice for Fernie. Kurtis Rumenovich, Kyle Peterson and Zach Mazo replied for the Panthers.
The round robin draw continues Friday with Richmond facing Peninsula at 3 p.m. and Fernie hosting Osoyoos in an all-KIJHL match up at 7:30 p.m.
The round robin concludes Saturday with Peninsula battling Osoyoos and Richmond up against the Ghostriders.
The top two teams advance to Sunday’s final at 6 p.m. The consolation contest goes at 2 p.m.
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