The Wolf Pack finally brought down the North Delta Devils for the first time in franchise history at Brennan Park Arena on Saturday (Jan. 30).
And the local club, which is nearing the end of its second Pacific International Junior Hockey League season, did it in ravaging fashion by scoring four unanswered goals in the first period and another in the second period before the Devils pulled goalkeeper Alexander Wind. 麻豆社国产scored another goal in the third period for a 6-2 victory.
The difference between Saturday's game and the previous 12 straight losses to North Delta over the past two years was a more forceful offence that was more eager to get the puck to the net, said head coach and general manager Matt Samson.
"We had a lot of pressure in their end and we got off to a fast start. We shot the puck when [before] we had sort of been trying to go for the extra pass or hang onto the puck for too long," he said.
Marcus Chabot ripped a quick shot off the inside post to open the scoring before Tadz Brown took advantage of a powerplay to gain a fast 2-0 lead. Hunter Nelson picked a hole for Squamish's third goal and recent pickups from Grandview Clayton Wilson and Gray Meckling combined to close off the period. Marco Finucci scored the lone second period goal and added his second of the night to start the third period.
The forward line of Brown, Finucci and Wilson was buzzing. The line combined for nine points on Saturday with Brown leading the charge with five points (one goal, four assists).
"In the last month and a half he's probably been our best player. We really need to count on him for offence," said Samson of Brown, who leads the team in scoring with 36 points.
"He and Finucci are working pretty well together with Wilson on there and it's a pretty good line."
麻豆社国产goalie Scott Ismond was awarded first star honours after recording 51 saves on 53 shots. He stopped all 19 shots in the first period and saved 23 of 25 shots in the third period alone as the Devils pushed hard with multiple man advantages.
"They were peppering him for a while and he played really well. He kept us in it in the first," said Samson.
The Wolf Pack had little rest, however, getting on the road for a matinee game against the Grandview Steelers on Sunday (Jan. 31). Michael Shain boosted 麻豆社国产to a 1-0 lead after one period but Grandview stormed back with three unanswered goals in the second period.
Hunter Nelson scored a powerplay goal in the third period but it wasn't enough as the Steelers went on to win 4-1.
Playoff hopes are slim but still mathematically possible with five games remaining. The Pack faced off against the Port Moody Black Panthers on Wednesday (Feb. 3) after press time.
The next game is versus the Richmond Sockeyes at Brennan Park Arena on Saturday (Feb. 6). The puck drops at 7:15 p.m.
