MacKay stands tall, Sikka ties as top scorer

Don Fennell, Sports Editor

The Richmond Sockeyes capped a remarkable run Sunday with a bronze-medal finish at the Western Canadian Junior B Hockey Championships in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba.

The fifth-place team in the Pacific International Junior Hockey League in the regular season, the Sockeyes caught fire in the playoffs. In the opening round of the PIJHL's post-season, Richmond defeated the Ridge Meadows Flames in double overtime in the deciding game of the best-of-seven and then upended the Delta Ice Hawks in five games before toppling the first-place Abbotsford Pilots (who finished 16 points up on the Sockeyes) in another thrilling seven-games series that Ricky Sikka won for the Sockeyes with a three-goal effort in a 3-2 double overtime win in the deciding game.

Richmond then silenced the Island champion Campbell River Storm (which had earlier defeated Kootenay champion Beaver Valley in a playoff to play for the B.C. title) in 2 games to 1 for the provincial championship.

Following is a summary of each Sockeyes' game en route to winning the bronze medal at the westerns.

Assiniboia (Saskatchewan) defeated Spruce Grove (Alberta) 5-2 for the Keystone Cup.

Game 1, April 10

Richmond Sockeyes 1

Spruce Grove Regals 1

David Young set up Spencer Hamade for Richmond's only goal 5:58 into the first period and the Sockeyes held on for a 1-1 tie against Alberta champion Spruce Grove.

Richmond missed a glorious opportunity to pull out a victory when they failed to lift the puck over goaltender Marc Alhin and into an open net with only a few seconds remaining.

Game 2, April 11

Richmond Sockeyes 3

St. Claude Knights 0

Kevin MacKay was flawless in net as the Sockeyes picked up their first win by blanking the host St. Claude Knights 3-0.

"It was a chippy game," Richmond coach Ron Johnson said. "And Kevin saved our butts with a couple of great saves."

Jason Garrison, Graham Sheppard and Julian Marcuzzi scored the Richmond goals, while Ricky Sikka had two assists.

Game 3, April 11

Richmond Sockeyes 5

Nipigon Elks 1

Defenceman John Crang scored two goals and Wyatt Russell played solidly in net as the Sockeyes improved to 2-1-1 with a 5-1 victory over the Northwest Ontario champions.

Ricky Sikka, Garrett Seder and Mike Hengen also scored for Richmond which gave up a goal 2:20 into third period to spoil Kevin MacKay's shutout bid.

Game 4, April 12

Richmond Sockeyes 1

Assiniboia Rebels 7

The Richmond Sockeyes played their poorest game of the tournament and Saskatchewan champion Assiniboia Rebels took advantage by rolling to a 7-1 win and handing the Sockeyes their first setback.

Garrett Seder's goal 6:42 into the third period quashed Derek Collier's hopes for a shutout.

Game 5, April 12

Richmond Sockeyes 5

Selkirk Fishermen 0

The Sockeyes bounced back to douse the Manitoba champions 5-0 as Kevin MacKay earned his second shutout of the tournament. It was an overall team effort as Richmond got goals from five different players: Julian Marcuzzi, Brodie Henderson, David Young, Stephen Sawada and Mark Bouchard.

Game 6, April 13

Richmond Sockeyes 9

Selkirk Fishermen 4

Ricky Sikka capped his career by scoring his second goal of the game with 16 seconds remaining as the Sockeyes squashed the Fishermen 9-4 to win the bronze medal.

Sikka tied for the tournament scoring crown with five goals and a tourament-leading eight assists. Raymond Sawada paced Richmond with a hat trick, Garrett Seder scored twice, and Stephen Sawada and John Crang also found the net. Five of the Richmond goals were on the powerplay, while another came with the Sockeyes shorthanded.

Local seniors prove to be right on cue

Don Fennell, Sports Editor

Al Martin celebrated his 75th birthday on Feb. 16, one of the few days he hasn't shot a game of pool.

There haven't been many days in the last 15 years when the Richmond senior hasn't enjoyed playing billiards, a sport he learned as a child but dropped as an adult. He picked it up again 15 years ago at the urging of his wife who encouraged him to "find something to do.".

"I was born on a farm (near Fox Valley, Saskatchewan)," Martin said. "You either trapped or played pool in the winter."

But as an adult, Martin found he had more important things to do with his time than play pool and rarely picked up a cue stick. Upon retiring though he joined the South Arm Community Centre in 1987 and quickly realized how much he enjoyed the game. It wasn't too long before he regained his old form and began teaching others who he says have turned the tables and are now beating him.

A retired postal worker, Martin

joined the Minoru Seniors Activity Centre a year later, and it's been a second home ever since. He's as much a regular fixture there as the billiard tables themselves.

"It keeps me out of trouble," he laughed, adding reacquiring his pool skills was a lot like riding a bike.

He competes in the frequent tournaments at the centre, placing third in last week's event sponsored by Tim Horton's and P.C. Lee photography. But he insists he isn't as competitive as some of his peers.

"Some people take it too darn serious, but it's a game for everybodygood or not," he said.

"There are some guys who just don't want to lose."

Despite their age, Martin isn't surprised how many of the seniors are still very proficient at billiards. He said they play a lot and stay sharp.

Dieter Clark won the A event at the tournament, with Dave Murck taking the B event title and Boris Burger topping the C event.

Packers tackle rugby football

Steveston coach Stephen Platze wowed by first-year team's progress

Don Fennell, Sports Editor

The final score, as is so often the case, failed to tell the story.

It read Prince of Wales Walesmen 52 Steveston Packers 12. There was no debating the Walesmen were the superior side in Wednesday's high school boys' rugby match, only the Packers' third in their inaugural season in the Lower Mainland Second Division league. But what it didn't indicate was how determined and competitive the first-year Steveston side played. Prince of Wales clung to a seven-point cushion, 19-12, with 15 minutes remaining before pulling away.

"We kind of fell apart after that," Packers' coach Stephen Platzer said. "But I didn't go into this season with any expectations (of grandeur) and I couldn't be anything but happy with how these guys have played."

Platzer is clearly elated there's even a rugby program at the school, and the opportunity to coach the game is something of a dream-come-true for the Steveston teacher who grew up with the game.

"I started playing rugby in Grade 9 and played for 16 years," he explained. "At first what attracted me was the camaraderie of the people. That persisted through my career. The game attracts all different kinds of people and players of different abilities."

It was almost a given Platzer would wind up playing rugby. Every one of the 45 boys in his graduating class at Armstrong High School did.

It's been a little more challenging to get the game off the ground here, but Platzer is encouraged. There are currently 26 Packers, the majority Grade 11s along with one Grade 9 (Jacky Tom), three Grade 10s (Kyle Nishi, Allen Tang and Evan Pearce) and three Grade 12s (Darren Achari, Balraj Grewal and Pawel Trebon). And every one of them has made steady, if not surprising progress, he said.

"From day one their attitude has always been really positive toward learning and becoming the best they can be. We see giant steps after each and every game and practice."

Others are taking note too, he said.

"Yesterday the referee commented how well they have developed since the first time he'd watched them play (a few weeks ago)," Platzer enthused. "And even the other coaches are astounded at how well we're doing."

Platzer is so encouraged by the Packers' progress he's already predicting they'll be a "really strong" team next season.

"These guys have created quite a spark and we've got younger individuals (at the school) wondering about rugby now," he said. "There could be quite a few teams, for example junior and possibly even a girls' team."

Although the Packers are still looking for their first victory three games into the season, Platzer is confident that by year's end they'll have at least one "W". Even if it doesn't though, he already considers the Packers' inaugural campaign to be a huge success.

Rugby is quite an intricate game with plenty to learn from tackling to understanding your position, he said. The game, which originated from football (soccer) has a long history with many of the rules

evolving over time. Participants tend to play the game hard, but usually with great respect for their opponents which may account for the noted social sphere which accompanies the game.

"It's very much a team team game with a need for continuity more (obvious) than with many other

sports. "You have to be able to work with the people on the team."

Platzer describes rugby as equal parts mental and physical. But he said not matter how talented a player is, if they don't know where to be and what to do when they get the ball they can't expect to be successful.

"You can't take on 15 other guys, so (the players) have to have faith in each other. You have to depend on the other guy to make the tackle so you can cover another player."

Grade 11 scrum-half Tim Law is one of the Packers' key players but had only ever seen one rugby game in his life before taking up the game. Now he amazes Platzer every game with his creativity.

J.J. Szigetti has also made great strides since moving to back from forward. He is adept at moving the ball forward quickly and is able able to support the backs well, Platzer said.

Prop forward Grewal is always in the rucks and malls looking for the ball and provides the Pack with maximum yardage every time he gets the opportunity to run. Nishi has also made several outstanding open-field tackles to prevent the opposition from scoring.

"Accolades to everyone in general for doing a phenomenal job learning their roles," Platzer said.

Saluting curling's grass roots

Pacific International Cup pays homage to club champions

Don Fennell, Sports Editor

A group of ardent B.C. curlers gathered five years ago to discuss the grass roots of the game.

"A club championship would be great," it was suggested.

"Yeah," the others echoed, recognizing that while there were many events for competitive curlers those playing at the club level didn't have the same opportunities.

And so the Pacific Club Challenge was created. Originally limited to club champions in the Lower Mainland, the first event was held in 1999 at the Royal City Curling Club. A year later it became

the Pacific International Cup when the Pacific Coast Curling Association decided to extend the success of the event by creating a truly "global" competition.

In 2003 two more interclub competitions began in the north and south Island districts of the PCCA, and a similar interclub event was spawned in the Interior. The inclusion of teams from as far as Japan, Korea and Taiwan and the United States has made the Pacific International Cup a truly universal tournament.

Last year, the Jared Wannamaker rink from Gibsons won the Pacific International Cup at the Richmond Curling Club and went on to win a bronze medal against some of the world's best at the Kariuzawa International Curling Competition in Japan.

This weekend, 16 teams are competing at the fourth annual Pacific International Cup at the local club which winds up Sunday at 2 p.m.

"Nine different curling clubs and four countries are represented," marvelled Jim Schuman, the founding chair of the tournament.

One only has to look at the Richmond Curling Club to see how events such as the Pacific International Cup are helping to raise the profile of curling at the grass roots level. Club president Fay Miller noted that there were a record 60 teams that participated in the recent year-end mixed bonspiel.

Strikers start slow, but finish strong

Don Fennell, Sports Editor

The Hugh McRoberts Strikers continue to set the pace in the Lower Mainland's Tier 1 high school rugby league.

The Strikers rolled over the Kitsilano Blue Demons 19-10 Tuesday to improve to 6-1 on the season. And while McRoberts associate coach Al Smith said Kitsilano is not as strong as last season when they finished third in the province at the triple-A level, they are a still "a formidable opponent."

Ironically, McRoberts started slowly in the match losing possession several times including three occasions when they had the ball deep in the Kitsilano half of the field. Nine minutes in, Kitsilano capitalized on a McRoberts handling error and scored a converted try. They added to their lead with a penalty goal 10 minutes later and it appeared the Strikers could be in for a long game.

Gradually however, McRoberts began to gain momentum and frustrate Kitsilano leading to some untimely penalties. Jason Lee took advantage to put the Strikers on the board with a penalty goal, and five minutes before halftime scrum-half Aneil Dhaliwal took a quick tap penalty from five metres to score a try.

Lee touched down for his second try early in the second half to give the Strikers their first lead of the game, and then Thomas Nilausen scored a try after the ball was moved wide. Lee added his third penalty goal to complete the scoring.

"The game was one of McRoberts' better efforts of the season," Smith aid. "Many players came up

with solid games (including Paul Gaudreault, Thomas Delecki, Onur Oner and co-captains Steve Rempbel and Brock Nordman)."

In other action this week, the R.A. McMath Wildcats got a pair of tries from Fred Klomp and strong tackling from Rob Ponti to shade Point Grey 27-20 Wednesday.

"We were missing about four starters and as a result our pack was pretty much all first-year players," McMath coach Jon Malchy said. "But Point Grey also played really well. They had a big number eight and he ran really hard and scored a couple of tries for them."

Malchy, however, was disappointed with the Wildcats' tackling which he described as "relatively weak."

The H.J. Cambie Crusaders improved their season mark to 2-0 with a 4-0 victory Wednesday over Charles Tupper.

"It was a very strong performance," Cambie coach Mike Charlton said. "Our defence was excellent and really pressured Tupper all day. Most of the time they were playing backwards as we forced a lot of turnovers."

Outside centre Dustin Entwistle and stand-off Hamad Morsi each scored a pair of tries for Cambie and Matt Heniger had a try and five converts. Number eight Dean Morris capped the scoring with a powerful run with five minutes to play.

"Our back row also performed really well," Charlton said.

The Wildcats and Crusaders meet next Wednesday at McMath. Kickoff is 4 p.m.