The road back to prosperity?

Don Fennell, Sports Editor

They play in two different leagues, but the Richmond Sockeyes and Vancouver Canucks have much in common this season.

In fact, the similarities are rather remarkable.

Both sport potent offences and encourage their defence to jump up into the play. And the philosophies they share have helped both get off to strong starts, although they've recently hit some ruts along the road.

Coincidentally, both teams gave indications Thursday night they may have turned the corner again and are headed for another stretch of success. While the Canucks tied the Avalanche 1-1 in the National Hockey League, the Sockeyes regained top spot in the Pacific International League with an inspired 4-2 win over the Port Coquitlam Buckeroos at Minoru Arenas.

"We had some unsung heroes tonight," Richmond coach Ron Johnson said with a sense of pride. "And we went into a 1-2-2 defence after we got up a couple of goals late in the third period and they didn't get many opportunities."

Just as the Canuck offence dried up in recent games, the Sockeyes also had trouble converting their scoring chances. But hard work and persistence is the only remedy and Richmond was rewarded for staying the course against a Port Coquitlam team that had been the PIJHL's hottest team. Since blanking the Sockeyes 1-0 here Oct. 30, the Buckeroos have fashioned an 8-3-1 mark and headed into Thursday's game tied with Richmond (6-5-0-1 since Oct. 30 and losers of their last four in a row) for the league lead.

The Sockeyes have outscored their opponents 116-83 this season, but hadn't scored more than three goals in a game since edging the Buckeroos 4-3 in overtime Nov. 22 in Port Coquitlam. They've given up an average of three goals per outing, but Johnson was also impressed with Richmond's improved defensive effort.

"We forced them to make some mistakes" he said. "When we got up 3-2 in the third period we started to really think and it was probably one of our best defensive forechecking games."

The Sockeyes adopted a 1-2-2 trap to protect the lead and Johnson was pleased with the discipline his players showed in carrying out the game plan.

"Tonight was a very unselfish effort," said Johnson, indicating these are the kind of habits the team has to adopt as it gears up for the second half of the season.

"Tetsu (Yamamoto) scored a great goal (Richmond's fourth) directly because of his forechecking. And I saw Sheppard (leading scorer Graham) come into the offensive zone and, instead of shooting, look for his teammates which showed confidence in them."

Sheppard, who did score once, played on a line with rookie Jordan Oye and veteran Kenji Umeno, who made his Sockeye debut after being signed last week. Umeno seemed to inspire both of his linemates, especially Sheppard.

"Kenji makes Sheppard a better player because he has to skate (to keep up)," Johnson said. "And he respects Kenji."

Wyatt Russell also played well in net for Richmond. Recovering from a concussion he suffered in a recent game against the Delta Ice Hawks, he shook off an early goal (that briefly gave the Buckeroos a 1-0 lead) to turn in a solid 23-save effort for his league-best 13th win.

Sockeye goaltending consultant Paul Fricker was happy with Russell's effort, especially considering these are the "dog days" of the season.

"It's difficult sometimes to continue to focus and you become tired, not necessarily physical but mental," Fricker said. "Ultimately, the goal is to play without thought."

Fricker said he wants to help Russell be as consistent as possible and not view one game as being more important than another. He said an indication of a goaltender who is struggling is one who appears mechanical and slow.

Richmond has a home-and-home series against the Grandview Steelers to play before breaking for the Christmas holidays. The teams meet Tuesday at Grandview (Trout Lake Arena) and here Friday (7 p.m. at Minoru Arenas). They'll have 14 games remaining in the 42-game schedule after the break, starting Jan. 4 at Hope.

Johnson said he's happy with the second-half schedule which will allow more time to work on "little things."

The practice to game ratio is about 3-1. He said he would like to spend much of the time trying to improve defensive systems, puck protection, puck support, and converting one-on-ones to two-on-ones.

"I'd also like to come up with some trick plays," he said.

Rebuilt Rovers back on roll as senior soccer sides break for Christmas

Shamrock Rovers continue to reign atop the Richmond Senior Soccer League's Premier Division.

Last season's champions continue to hold down first place heading into the annual winter break, after 12 games sporting a record of 10-2-0 nine points clear of second-place All Blacks.

Representing the league in the Provincial Cup in June, the Rovers rolled over five teams to take the B.C. title. Returning to regular-season action in September, the Rovers had to replace seven

players and coach Richie Cannon. But veteran Paul Roberts has stepped into Cannon's shoes and done a more than admirable job while acquiring the likes of perennial all-star Jon Young, defenders Ken Anderson and Paul Bach, and midfielders Ryan Deeth and Paul Player.

"The recent return from injury of goalkeeper Craig Edwards has really solidified our defence," Roberts says.

"And we now have Anderson and Bach teaming up in the middle with a choice of John Stocking, Don Taylor and Darryl Richards to play outside."

The Rovers have allowed just 10 goals, significantly lower than any other team. Brian Wilms anchors the midfield along with the hard-battling Young and Deeth.

Chris Bradley leads the team and league in scoring with 10 goals at the half, while veteran striker Lorne Loiselle has six.

The Rovers' 4-0 win Sunday over the Ravens started in the first minute with Player scoring on a breakaway. Bradley added two more before the half and completed the hat trick in the final half of play.

In other Premier Division play Sunday, All Blacks lost a point on the first-place Rovers in a 2-2 draw with Club India; Peter Virk and Gurjit Rai had two goals apiece as Players United downed Flying Beaver 4-1; and Lansdowne Pontiac and Dragons and Sportstown and Club India tied 0-0.

ISSC Harps retained a three-point cushion over the Pumphouse Islanders in the First Division standings after both clubs earned lopsided wins.