HOCKEY

Hard works pays off as Eyes reach final

The Richmond Sockeyes and Port Coquitlam Buckaroos will open the 1997 Pacific International Junior Hockey League final Saturday night in Port Coquitlam. The teams advanced to the best-of-seven league championship series last week after ousting Abbotsford and Ridge Meadows respectively - both in six games. Richmond co-coach Kevin Careless said following the Sockeyes' series-winning game last Thursday that his team's hard work - notably in the second period of game six - was the reason they advanced. He said he feels if his team continue to play that way, "it will be a great final to watch, to coach, and to play in."

The Buckaroos topped the regular-season standing with a 26-12-2 record and outscored their opponents 213-144. They finished 10 points ahead of both Abbotsford and Richmond, the latter of which compiled a 21-17-2 mark. However, in seven regular-season meetings the teams were nearly dead even with only a goal or two separating them.

ICE CHIPS: The Kootenay International Hockey League best-of-seven final is slated to begin this weekend between Invermere (Columbia Valley) and Fruitvale (Beaver Valley). The Island final (a best-of-five) between Parksville and Saanich is already underway. The Island and Kootenay winners will face off in a best-of-three, with the champion to meet the PIJHL winner in the B.C. championships.

Game day

Richmond Sockeyes and Port Coquitlam Buckaroos will face off in the best-of-seven PIJHL final beginning Saturday at Port Coquitlam. Following is the series schedule.

* Games 5, 6, 7 if necessary
Skill the name of the game