DELTA, B.C. – The Tunnel Series combined with yet another new special event game to reach an even more powerful and exciting new form. The rare Ice Hawks home game at Sungod Arena, the Tom Shaw Conference Finals, and the Tunnel Series rivalry contest between the Delta Ice Hawks and Richmond Sockeyes merged together to form a trifecta, much like the geographic feature from which the city of Delta draws its name. How incredibly fitting, if you really start to think about it.
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NOTABLE NOTES
• Hawks forward Teegan Sara made his playoff debut in Game 5. The 2005-born forward from Vancouver last suited up on February 8th in White Rock, the final regular season outing for the Ice Hawks.
• The Ice Hawks played Game 5 of the Tom Shaw Conference Finals at the Sungod Arena in North Delta, the team’s unofficial second home. The last time the Delta Ice Hawks played at Sungod was the most recent season opener on September 7th, 2024, a 5-2 win over the Langley Trappers.
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THREE STARS
• Delta Ice Hawks goaltender Merik Erickson was exemplary between the pipes and imperative to punching his team’s ticket back to the finals. The graduating netminder and North Delta minor hockey alum put on one hell of a show in his home barn, making 41 saves and thrilling the crowd with jaw-dropping stops and catlike acrobatics. Named third star in the game, Erickson ascended to the pantheon of all-time Ice Hawks greats.
• Delta Ice Hawks forward Danylo Bereza set the tone and rallied his team towards victory with both the game’s opening score and the eventual game-winner. His tenacity and scoring prowess are on full display in these playoffs, carrying his share of the league’s most potent top line. Bereza earned second star honours.
• Delta Ice Hawks forward Grady Lenton carried out his mandate of dominance over the PJHL, busting out a casual five-point night with a power play marker, an empty-netter, and helpers on goals from linemates Danylo Bereza and Mateo Sjoberg. Lenton settled up as first star of the game, and an unofficial first star of the series.
Richmond’s captain, Teo Lin, kept the heartbeat of his team as they attempted a rally for the ages. He scored a literal buzzer-beater to tie the game at the end of the first period, and added a power-play goal to hoist themselves to within one.
The Delta Ice Hawks wish to recognize the graduating Richmond Sockeyes players, whose careers concluded with this game:
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STONEHOUSE CUP PLAYOFF SERIES SCHEDULE
Stonehouse Cup Finals
Delta Ice Hawks vs. Ridge Meadows Flames
• Game 1: TBD
• Game 2: TBD
• Game 3: TBD
• Game 4: TBD
• Game 5: TBD*
• Game 6: TBD*
• Game 7: TBD*
* = if necessary
Tom Shaw Conference Finals
(1) Delta Ice Hawks vs. (2) Richmond Sockeyes (a.k.a. Tunnel Series 2025)
• Game 1 @ Delta: 5-4 W, DEL leads 1-0
• Game 2 @ Richmond: 8-4 W, DEL leads 2-0
• Game 3 @ Delta: 3-2 OTW, DEL leads 3-0
• Game 4 @ Richmond: 4-2 L, DEL leads 3-1
• Game 5 @ Delta: 7-3 W, DEL wins 4-1
Tom Shaw Conference Semifinals
(1) Delta Ice Hawks vs. (5) Port Coquitlam Trailblazers
• Game 1 @ Delta: 7-3 W, DEL leads 1-0
• Game 2 @ Port Coquitlam: 7-4 L, series tied 1-1
• Game 3 @ Port Coquitlam: 4-2 L, PC leads 2-1
• Game 4 @ Delta: 9-1 W, series tied 2-2
• Game 5 @ Delta: 5-1 W, DEL leads 3-2
• Game 6 @ Port Coquitlam: 7-1 W, DEL wins 4-2
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