PORT COQUITLAM, B.C. – The Delta Ice Hawks launched from their 3-2 series perch over the Port Coquitlam Trailblazers in the Tom Shaw Conference Semifinals and took to the skies on Sunday night. From there, they soared towards the stratosphere, set their sights on victory and came barreling back down towards their prey, talons out to eviscerate their competition.
First Period
Though both briefly ceded their creases to their backups at earlier points of the series, the goaltending matchup remained etched: Merik Erickson vs. Keiran Caughran. Both netminders had to be sharp, with shots pouring in throughout the build of the game.
Neither goalie nor team gave any ground, and as such neither side claimed any further gains. The deadlock persisted through the first period, with all the play coming at 5-on-5; save for the game’s first power play chance going to Delta as Port Coquitlam defenceman Brady Reed was sent off for slashing.
Second Period
An early holding minor going to Delta defenceman Nick Goyer prompted the first power play of the game for Port Coquitlam, though they wouldn’t be able to convert any chances to break the stalemate. The battle of attrition finally game way past the four minute mark of the second period, as Ice Hawks captain Tye Hemenway opened the scoring. His long shot from the blue-line pinged through traffic, tipped conveniently into the net to draw first blood.
The month of March seemed to bring about a march to the penalty box for the Ice Hawks, with Louie Sim taken off for high sticking, and Evan Fedele dispatched for hooking. With the second period nearing its twilight, Grady Lenton found the perfect opportunity to bolster his club’s lead with his sixth goal of the playoffs to make it 2-0. His patience as he slinked his way through the zone paid off, as he redeemed himself for an earlier miss.
Goyer found his way back to the sin bin, this time for charging. Enter: another Clutch Goals enjoyer, Port Coquitlam’s own Captain Jack. Markus Jack took the chance with the man-advantage to slash the lead in half as he swashbuckled his way to his ninth goal of the post-season.
The waters calmed as the final buzzer rang out: 2-1 Delta with twenty minutes left to go.
Third Period
Though they avoided the penalty box effectively throughout the middle frame, the Trailblazers found their grace period fading away as blue-liner Branden Pollock was caught holding. Lenton may as well have been going Super Saiyan as he swiftly restored his team to a two-goal lead, much as he did earlier in the game with a post-and-in power play move.
The next to go off was Fedele, who broke through for his first playoff tally. He cleaned up a rebound chance with a crowd developing in front of Caughran, setting a 4-1 score for the birds of prey.
Quickly cashing in another power play chance, as Poco’s Blake Van Straten sat for interference, Delta nabbed a tip-in goal that went credited to Sim.
The ‘Blazers enjoyed their own parade of shame to the box, with Cam Trolland given an unsportsmanlike conduct call immediately after the 5-1 marker. Grinding along like a well-oiled machine, the Hawks’ power play continued churning as Hemenway faked a shot before rifling off a dagger past Caughran to collect his second goal of the game.
Delta forward Eric Lee was the recipient of a cross-checking call, but by this point, all offensive momentum firmly belonged to the gold-clad road warriors.
The final volley across the bow came from who-else-but Lenton, who gained the puck off of Bailey Ewonus and skated in close to Caughran. Lenton made an unassuming move that proved to be the dagger to the heart for the playoff duel, besting Caughran and putting an emphatic exclamation mark on the series.
A late call against Pollock for slashing sent the Ice Hawks power play out once again, but by this point, the game was very much decided and had no further scoring updates. The final score from Port Coquitlam: 7-1 Delta.
The Delta Ice Hawks had the talons out as they turned in a perfect road game at a time where they needed it the most, winning 7-1 in the Jon Baillie Arena. The Hawks were clinical as they ended the Port Coquitlam Trailblazers’ first playoff run in franchise history by a series score of 4-2.
Next on the Docket
The Delta Ice Hawks are set to renew one of the greatest and most exciting rivalries in the Pacific Junior Hockey League, as the Richmond Sockeyes await them in the Tom Shaw Conference Finals. The Tunnel Series enters playoff mode, schedule to be announced.
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THREE STARS
Well, the Port Coquitlam Trailblazers did not name any stars in the game, at least that is how it is recorded on the league’s live scoring. Perhaps it was typed and not saved, perhaps it was an intentional slight. Honestly, assuming intent is as effective as nailing jello to a tree. We at the Delta Ice Hawks feel this leads us to a perfect opportunity to recognize who we believe to be the three stars of the game.
• Port Coquitlam Trailblazers goaltender Keiran Caughran, despite allowing seven goals, was as exemplary as he was frustrating to play against. For every goal allowed, there were nearly six shots Caughran turned aside as he faced Delta’s scorching-hot offensive capabilities. He is our third star of the game.
• Delta Ice Hawks defenceman and captain Tye Hemenway came up clutch as he often does in make-or-break games, pumping two goals past Caughran and adding an assist. He is our second star of the game.
• Delta Ice Hawks forward and alternate captain Grady Lenton lived up to his billing as the human cheat-code, locking in a road hat-trick and an assist to power his team to a series victory. He is our first star of the game.
The Delta Ice Hawks wish to recognize and congratulate the six graduating players from the Port Coquitlam Trailblazers whose careers ended with this game:
Cheers to these young men, may their futures shine bright evermore.
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STONEHOUSE CUP PLAYOFF SERIES SCHEDULE
Tom Shaw Conference Finals vs. Richmond Sockeyes (a.k.a. Tunnel Series 2025)
• 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 Semifinals vs. 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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