The Delta Ice Hawks missed out an opportunity to get a firm grip on their Pacific Junior Hockey semi-final series against the Langley Trappers.
Braden Warburton’s goal 1:33 into the second overtime period gave the visiting Trappers a 4-3 win on Sunday night to even the best-of-seven affair at 1-1. Game three is Tuesday in Ladner (7:30 p.m.) and the teams head to the George Preston Recreation Centre on Wednesday (7 p.m.) for game four.
Coming off an emotional seven game series win over Aldergrove, the Hawks continued the momentum with a 4-3 game one win in Langley on Friday.
They outshot the Trappers 48-30 Sunday but allowed their opponents to jump on miscues and assignment breakdowns to pull even in the series.
After an early first period power play goal from Carter Graham, the Trappers’ other three goals came on odd man rushes.
“We’re making critical mistakes at the wrong times and not capitalizing on our endless chances,” said Delta GM and head coach Steve Robinson. “It’s a big game (Tuesday) and we need to bounce back to hold onto home ice advantage.”
The Hawks need to not pay attention to the shot clock.
Langley surrendered 42 shots or more in five of its six games against Abbotsford yet still won the opening round 4-2. Delta also had 47 shots in the series opener. The young Trappers are leaning on the goaltending of Kristian Lyon and punishing their opponents with their excellent speed in transition.
The Hawks played catch-up in game two all night, erasing one goal Langley leads on tallies from Nick Marsh, Andrew Kemp and Ji-Hwan Kim.
Game one saw first period goals from Kyle Uy, Jordin Kojima and Kim less than three minutes apart in the opening period put the Hawks in control. Liam Visram’s second period power play goal proved to be the difference.
The other semi-final series has North Vancouver ahead of Grandview 2-0.
