Can the Delta Ice Hawks generate enough offence over the final six weeks of the Pacific Junior Hockey League regular season?
That will likely determine if they are headed to the playoffs or not.
The Ice Hawks rank second in the 12-team league in goals against, but their struggles to turn on the red light, especially over the last month or so, currently have them sitting outside the post-season picture.
That should change with the Surrey Knights (1-30-0-4) visiting the Ladner Leisure Centre on Tuesday (7:35 p.m.) but the Hawks will be scoreboard watching for the balance of their schedule as one of four potential teams battling for the last couple of playoff spots.
It was a frustrating start to 2020 at the PJHL Winter Classic where Delta left Richmond with one of a possible four points following a 4-3 overtime setback to the Grandview Steelers and a 3-1 loss to Langley Trappers on Sunday. Meanwhile, the Aldergrove Kodiaks swept both their contests to pull even with Delta and still enjoy a game in hand.
The Ice Hawks seemed to have caught a break against the Trappers when standout rookie goalie Ajeet Gundarah was rested in favour of back-up Cooper Giesbrecht for the 10 a.m. encounter. However, Truman Chiu’s second period power play goal was the only shot to beat the 17-year-old despite Delta enjoying a 37-23 advantage in shots.
Chiu’s tally tied the game at 1-1 at the 7:30 mark of the second period, but Langley answered just 21 seconds later for what proved to be the game winner.
The Hawks then enjoyed a two-man advantage for over four minutes but could not score in what might have been their most frustrating moment of the season to date.
Langley sealed the win with an empty netter in the final minute.
One day earlier, veteran blueliner Kevin Parra-Vaughan scored twice but the Steelers spoiled his debut by rallying for the win.
Mitch Lavoie had the other goal, while Jordy Engelson made 28 saves.
Following Tuesday's home game, the Hawks are back at Minoru Arenas on Thursday (7 p.m.) for their final regular season meeting with the Sockeyes.
