Hawks defenseman Yuji Akimoto scored the game-winning goal of Game 6, his fourth goal of the postseason, to send the PJHL Finals to Game 7 on Sunday night in Langley.
Continuing the pattern that the PJHL Finals had seen so far, the visiting Delta Ice Hawks won Game 6 over the home Ridge Meadows Flames in a very close 2-1 win in Maple Ridge Saturday night.
Both teams had multiple strong scoring chances and both teams hit the post more than once, but Merik Erickson shut the door and made some key saves to rebound from a tough Game 5 loss.
The Ice Hawks scored first, the only goal of the first period. Conner Merriman was set up for a one-time shot in the slot, which was stopped by Cam Connolly, but Kyle Robinson was out front to pick up the rebound and deked around Connolly for his first of the playoffs. This was the first time in this series that the winning team scored first.
Ridge Meadows tied the game late in the second period, scoring the only goal of that frame. Jack Foster, who had a hat trick in Game 5, had the lone Flames goal of Game 6.
Early on in the third, Yuji Akimoto made a nifty move around a Flames defenseman, went down the left wing, and scored over Connolly’s shoulder at a very sharp angle, his fourth of the playoffs and the eventual game-winning goal.
Game 7 goes Sunday night at George Preston Arena in Langley at 7pm. Come on out and support your Hawks in a winner-takes-all game!
