DELTA, B.C. – The Delta Ice Hawks turned the calendar page, looking to start 2026 off on a good note. Following a successful outing to Gibsons the night before, in which the Hawks swooped in for a 7-2 victory over the hosting Coastal Tsunami, the goal was to carry that same momentum back to Sungod Arena against their old friends, the Ridge Meadows Flames.
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1st Period
Armaan Kaila got the nod between the pipes, rested after Marcus Taylor stood on business against Coastal. Across the ice stood Matthew Candusso, a perennial thorn in the side of the Delta faithful.
The game’s first goal would be claimed by Flames forward Matteo Appezzato, helping his team jump out to an early 1-0 lead.
The game’s first penalty, a much more dubious honour than the previous, would be handed to Hawks defenceman Ryder Dunn for tripping.
Ridge Meadows would soon get another look on the power play, with Delta blue-liner Ji Hyun Jang catching an interference call. This time around, the Flames succeeded in their efforts with Manny Sandhu putting away his 9th goal of the season.
2:22 showed on the clock as the referees blew the play down, calling Flames d-man Tyler Blatz for handling the puck, granting the Ice Hawks their first opportunity with the man-advantage.
Ultimately, the Hawks headed to the dressing room trailing by two and seeking their first goal at home in 2026.
2nd Period
Blatz found himself penalized once again, this time for cross-checking. The opportunity to get on the board did not elude the hometown heroes this time, as Hawks forward Landon Jassmann was rewarded for his determination in the form of goal number two on the year.
Appezzato was the next Flame to skate to the sin bin, the second consecutive Ridge Meadows Flame to be assessed a cross-checking minor. There would be no power play for Delta yet, as affiliate defenceman Samuel Harvey faced the same charges.
Five seconds after the off-setting penalties, the Flames added another to the penalty box as Joshua Bettesworth was called for tripping.
All players were freed from their respective infractions, and the game was back to even-strength, but it was the five seconds of power play time that helped Beckett Cross score the game’s tying goal. Delta leadership was on full display, with alternate captains Brogan Kennedy and Devun Olfert providing the assists on Cross’ 14th goal of the year.
The leaders on the Delta Ice Hawks kept the home fires roaring, as Colin Jang gave the team the go-ahead goal they needed. Hawks affiliate forward Kesler Curtis, appearing in his fifth game with the team, earned his first PJHL point with the primary assist.
The Hawks’ jubilation was short-lived, with Flames veteran forward Cohen Muc making a wish and scoring at the 11:11 mark of the middle period to knot the game at 3-all.
Ridge Meadows’ bench was assessed an unsportsmanlike conduct minor penalty, sending Jayden Simpson to serve and sit. He would be joined momentarily by the newly-acquired Matteo Marini for roughing. Marini, acquired from the White Rock Whalers for Jacob Roche, played 27 games for the Chilliwack Jets: the final of those games before his rights landed in White Rock was against Delta back on December 7th. Marini’s roughing penalty was off-set by the same penalty against Hawks forward Kennedy.
Flames forward Max Wingrove used the extra ice to his advantage and regained his team’s lead via his 14th goal of the PJHL campaign. 4-3 Ridge.
A late penalty to Hawks defender Owen Cooper for delay of game sent the teams to the dressing room with four seconds of carry-over power play time to start the third period.
3rd Period
Teegan Sara had a monumental goal in the opening breaths of the final period, scoring his first of the season to tie the game at 4 goals apiece. Ridge Meadows defenceman Aidan Kalinowski caught a 10-minute misconduct on the same stoppage.
Simpson returned to the penalty box, this time for his own infraction: high-sticking.
This was all Jassmann needed to continue his bull-in-a-china-shop style of play and knock in his second goal of the game on the power play to put the Hawks on top once again, by a tally of 5-4.
More penalties were abound as Ryder Dunn was assessed with goaltender interference, while Cross took two for roughing and a 10-minute misconduct. The Flames were almost equally kneecapped on the same stoppage, with Blatz and Jonah Power-Smith each matching Cross’ penalties: 2 minutes for roughing, 10-minute misconducts.
Ryder Dunn earned his redemption in the form of his 9th goal, assisted by Colin Jang and Kennedy.
The final penalties in a game seemingly riddled with them came in the twilight of the game, with Marini called for slashing and Jassmann for embellishment.
Candusso got the hook for an extra attacker in the final minute of the contest, but it would not be enough to overtake the surging Delta Ice Hawks, who claimed victory by a score of 6 to 4.
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3 Stars of the Game
