It was hardly a stretch to suggest the Richmond Sockeyes and the Delta Ice Hawks were the teams to beat in the Pacific International Junior Hockey League this season but few would have guessed just how dominant they would be.
The Ice Hawks' veteran loaded line-up is off to a fast start out of the gate, with five wins in six games, including Tuesday's 5-0 triumph over the North Delta Devils at the Ladner Leisure Centre.
After being surprised 4-2 by the Port Moody Black Panthers in its season opener, Delta has dominated its opponents, outscoring them 28-8.
The defending champion Sockeyes are off to an even more impressive start, rolling to four consecutive shutout victories, including last Sunday's 8-0 blasting of the Mission Icebreakers. They outshot the hosts 60-16.
While both clubs should be commended for the talent they have assembled, the current lack of competitive balance is hardly healthy for the league's best interest.
"I think there are a few issues going on," said Ice Hawks head coach Dave McLellan. "Maybe some inexperience coaches and the people making player selections as well. There are definitely two teams we have played that do not have junior calibre players on their rosters.
"We are trying to figure out why. The disparity is just too great. It's a little scary this kind of separation and it's not good for the league. It makes it tough on everyone."
The Ice Hawks host North Vancouver on Tuesday then get their first crack at the Sockeyes two nights later in Richmond. The Sockeyes ended Delta's season with a game seven series win in the conference finals a year ago.
"It's a game we are definitely looking forward to given the bitter pill we swallowed last year, continued McLellan. "They are the best team in the league and we will see how we match-up.
With the graduation of last year's scoring champion and league MVP Liam Harding, along with Kye Benjaminsen, the Ice Hawks needed a more balanced scoring attack to realize their expectations.
Defenceman Alex Martin is setting the pace with 10 points in six games, while seven players have at least five points or more. Twentyyear-old local product Byron Maxwell, who was acquired in a pre-season trade with Mission, scored his team leading fifth goal on Tuesday, playing on a line with standouts Spencer Traher and Cody Smith.
"We are getting scoring right through the line-up and that should bode well for us in the long run," added McLellan. "It was a little bit of a hurdle for us in the playoffs last year when our first line got shutdown. I like the fact we are big and strong as well. I think we bring some toughness to our game this year and that was something we really wanted to add. Our style this year is about playing tough and physical."
Kody Botterhill, John Proctor, Anthony Brito and Traher had the other goals Tuesday.
Doug Birks turned aside 20 shots for his first shutout of the season.
