DELTA, B.C.
“You know what the happiest animal on Earth is? It’s a goldfish. You know why? [It’s] got a ten-second memory. Be a goldfish.” – Ted Lasso
The Delta Ice Hawks were sure to benefit from letting the memory of their prior game fade quickly. Being back at home the next day and playing again right away certainly helps, but that’s not to put the onus of clearing the slate and advancing their focus solely upon the calendar. That still needs to come from within.
Marcus Taylor led the team into battle, taking over for platoon-mate Armaan Kaila. Taylor last played in Chilliwack against the Jets on January 18th and was tapped to help the Hawks alter their course.
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1st Period
2nd Period
3rd Period
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Gummy Gainz 3 Stars of the Game
- Burnaby Steelers goaltender Oliver Read turned aside 45 of 48 shots, earning third star honours.
- Delta Ice Hawks forward Keeghan Dunn assisted on Devun Olfert’s go-ahead goal in the second period, and scored a stunner of a power-play goal (the eventual game-winner) in the third period, securing second star recognition.
- Delta Ice Hawks forward Colin Jang had himself a night, adding assists on all three Hawks goals before driving the final spike with an empty-net goal. Jang’s primary apple on Keeghan Dunn’s power-play game-winner marked his 116th assist for the Ice Hawks, tying Carson Merriman for the franchise all-time assists record. All in all, an impressive night for the game’s first star.
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Notable Notes
- Delta Ice Hawks defenceman Ji Hyun Jang skated in his final game with the team. The 2005-born blueliner from Seoul will be returning home to South Korea to begin his schooling.
- Burnaby Steelers affiliate Easton Coupland earned his first PJHL point by assisting on Ritchie Riumin’s game-opening goal.
- After dropping the first two contests of the season against the Steelers (5-3 on September 14th, 7-4 on October 19th; both games at Burnaby Winter Club), the Delta Ice Hawks secured their fifth straight win over Burnaby, sweeping all four games of the season series at Sungod Arena and taking two of four at BWC.
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Talons Up
- The Ice Hawks get nearly a week off, with their next PJHL action tabbed for Friday, February 6th at Cam Neely Arena to take on the Ridge Meadows Flames.
- A quick turnaround sees the Hawks hosting the Port Coquitlam Trailblazers on Saturday, February 7th at Sungod Arena. It’s sure to be a busy night at the Nest, as the Hawks game serves as the main event at NDMHA Fights Cancer Night, in association with North Delta Minor Hockey Association (NDMHA).
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