Matt Burry steered home his seventh of the season late in the 1st period. | Photo courtesy of Jody Harris Photography, PJHL.
Sockeye Vincent Thrum scores sudden-death winner
CENTENNIAL ARENA – While the Centennial faithful witnessed the excitement of three-on-three overtime for the first time this season, the Richmond Sockeyes outlasted the Pod 2-1 Oct. 16.
After the Whalers had controlled the majority of play in overtime and mustered four shots on goal, Sockeye Vincent Thrum’s snap shot from the wing eluded Whalers goalie Daniel Zuvic for the game-winner.
“When you talk about a 60-minute performance, I think we were right in line with that,” said White Rock head coach Jason Rogers
There were two silver linings for the Whalers. First, a point in the standings for the overtime loss; second, the defensive corps put in a yeoman’s effort and consistently backchecked to hold the Sockeyes at bay until the extra period.
In the last minute of the third, White Rock captain Tyler Price – named second star – frantically dove and slid along the blueline to poke check the puck away from a Richmond odd-man rush.
“If not the best player on the ice – [Tyler’s] probably in the top for both teams,” Rogers praised. “Tyler stepped up to the challenge again as we try to fight through this stretch of not getting results.”
Rogers referred to the Pod’s single victory in October at the start of the month against the Langley Trappers. At press time, the Whalers, with a record of six wins, four losses, and now a lone overtime loss, sat fourth out of six teams in the Tom Shaw Conference.
‘Burr’ lights lamp
In the opening period, Sockeye Jason Lin’s wrister through traffic beat Zuvic on the powerplay. His Whaler teammates helped him out when Matt Burry steered home his seventh of the season via a rebound past Richmond goalie Marcus Cumberworth.
The game stayed knotted at 1-1 – a fast-paced, relentless rolling of each’s team’s lines – until overtime and Thrum’s heroics.
White Rock went 0-for-5 on the powerplay while Richmond scored once on three chances with the extra man.
“It’s something to build on. We’re a quarter of the way through the season,” Rogers summarized.
Whaler "Butch" La Roue moves the puck past centre ice. The defenceman laced up for his 100th game for the Pod Oct. 16. | Photo: Jody Harris Photography
‘Butch’ records 100 games
A defensive stalwart was recognized during the game as Whaler alternate captain “Butch” La Roue notched his 100th game with the club. The blueliner joined White Rock in the inaugural expansion season in 2018.
Post-Game with Coach Rogers
THREE STARS:
First: Richmond # 5 Vincent Thrum
Second: White Rock # 73 Tyler Price
Third: Richmond # 8 Jason Lin
