The holiday break didn't seem to do much good for the 麻豆社国产Wolf Pack as the team continued its losing ways, falling 8-2 to the Richmond Sockeyes on Saturday (Jan. 8) and 8-3 to the Mission Icebreakers on Sunday (Jan. 9).
The Pack ran into the hottest team in the Pacific International Junior Hockey League on Saturday and the Sockeyes proved why they've only lost two games since Halloween. Despite the lopsided score, 麻豆社国产head coach Matt Samson said his team played hard.
"I thought it wasn't a bad effort," Samson said of the loss to Richmond. "Losing 8-2 is obviously not what you want to see but we made some mistakes and they're a better team than us."
Richmond built a three-goal lead in the first period, controlling the play and capitalizing on its scoring chances. 麻豆社国产only managed four shots in the opening frame, while Wolf Pack goalie Jordan Liem was peppered with 11. The Sockeyes took advantage of a five-on-three to make it 2-0 and then added a late goal to give themselves a three-goal cushion after 20 minutes.
The second period saw Richmond score two more unanswered goals before Squamish's Jaret Babych got the home team on the board. Babych has elevated his game in recent weeks and Samson has noticed.
"Jaret was really good tonight," he said. "And seems to be getting better as the season continues."
Richmond added another goal to make it 6-1 after two periods. The Pack again left Liem out to dry, as he faced 17 shots with 麻豆社国产only mustering eight. Richmond added two more goals in the third and 麻豆社国产tallied once more when Garrett Woodside blasted a shot home from inside the blue line.
The Pack then made the long trek to Mission to take on the Icebreakers on Sunday (Jan. 9), but were met with a similar result, losing 8-3. Babych again was a bright spot for the team, scoring all three Wolf Pack goals. He now has 10 this season.
Babych opened the scoring and 麻豆社国产had a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes, but then Mission scored three straight goals to take control in the second period. Babych scored again in the second but Mission added a late goal to take a 4-2 lead after 40 minutes. The Pack yanked starting goalie Shanson Lunny after the second period and put in Johann Peterson in for the third. Lunny finished with 18 saves off of 22 shots and Peterson failed to get the Pack any closer, allowing four goals on 16 shots in the third. Babych added a third-period marker to pick up his second hat trick of the year.
The Pack hits the road again on Friday (Jan. 14), taking on the Abbotsford Pilots. Their next home game will take place on Saturday (Jan. 15) when the Aldergrove Kodiaks come to town.
For more information on the team, visit www.squamishwolfpack.com.
