PREVIEW: Delta Ice Hawks vs. North Van Wolf Pack (Game #16)

Tonight the Wolf Pack and Ice Hawks dedicate this game to Wayne Hubbard. Hubbard served as a trainer for 50 years and was with Delta for his final four seasons. He passed away in April after a 2-year battle with cancer.

The Wolf Pack (5-10-1-0) are looking to extend their four-game win streak while Delta (13-3-0-0) is looking for their first win of the month. 

 

A moment of silence will be held tonight. Members of Brooksbank Elementary will be in attendance.

 

DELTA ICE HAWKS

OVERVIEW

GM/HC: Steve Robinson

Road Record: 7-1-0-0

Record: 13-3-0-0

Last Game: A 2-1 home loss on Tuesday against Port Moody. 

Kyle Robinson (4) broke the goose egg at the 17:19 mark of the 3rd period

ZILLICH 15/17

Shots on goal: 45 DEL – 17 PM (Adam Goody)

Goals For/Goals Against: 104 GF/32 GA (+72)

Power Play: 15/47 (31.91%)

Penalty Kill: 11/54 (79.63%)

Leading Scorers: Brayden Sinclair (16GP – 15G – 16A – 31PTS), Carson Merriman (16GP –  11G – 17A – 28PTS), Payton Hu (14GP–9G–17A– 26PTS)

 

THE  CM TEAM

The most offensively productive brother duo in the PJHL is currently Carson and Conner Merriman of the Ice Hawks. The CM team has a total of 53 points in 16 games. 

Carson Merriman, Surrey, BC, had 19 goals and 27 assists for 46 points in 38 games last season. The left-shot forward had 13 points in 10 playoff games and 7 points in 4 Cyclone Taylor Cup games. Last season was his first season in the PJHL. Carson checks in at 6’0” and 180lbs. He was born on November 21, 2003, and shares this birthday with his brother Conner.

Conner Merriman, Surrey, BC, had 15 goals and 25 assists for 40 points in 38 games last season. The right-shot forward had 19 points in 13 playoff games and 5 points in 4 Cyclone Taylor Cup games. Last season was his first season in the PJHL. Conner checks in at 6’0” and 180lbs. He was born on November 21, 2003 and shares this birthday with his brother Carson.

 

NORTH VANCOUVER WOLF PACK

OVERVIEW

General Manager: Dean Samson

Head Coach: Mike Borrelli

Record: 5-10-1-0

Home Record: 2-4-1-0

Last Game: A 3-2 overtime win in Aldergrove on Wednesday night.

Soares had his first in the PJHL while Binette (6) tied the score at 2 in the third period to bring the game to overtime. Zitko (7) had the overtime marker.

Tritt 25/27

Goals For/Goals Against: 50 GF/77 GA (-27)

Power Play: 14/72 (19.44%)

Penalty Kill: 17/55 (69.09%)

Leading Scorers: JJ Pickell (16GP – 11G – 10A – 21PTS), Tanner Terness (10GP – 3G – 12A – 15PTS), Andrew Casellato (10GP – 7G – 8A -15PTS)

 

KAJ ‘BURG’ER

Kaj Burgess, a 5’10” and 185lbs forward has suited up in 16 games with the Wolf Pack this season. The left-shot forward has an assist and 42 penalty minutes to show for. Burgess is a heart and soul player whose contributions go past the scoresheet. Last season, Burgess collected 5 goals and 5 assists for 10 points in 32 games. The hometown boy has played in 48 games with the Wolf Pack.

 

DIFFERENT WOLVES

North Vancouver has made a number of acquisitions and trades in the early stages of the season. Most recently the Pack dealt forward Sam Cordina to White Rock for a player development fee, acquired JJ Maros from the Richmond Sockeyes for future considerations, and dealt defenceman Emil Eriksson to the Nanaimo Buccaneers for a player development fee. Corson Penman also made his highly anticipated return to North Vancouver after a stint with the Dryden Ice Dogs in the SIJHL. Defenceman Ethan Szeto (05’) became an affiliate and goaltender Nick Mayne was released by the club last week. Braden Ward was traded to Surrey on Thursday for future considerations.

 

NOTES

  • This is the first home game for the Wolf Pack and first road game for Delta this month.
  • Ryan Hunter is back from a 3-game suspension that he received on October 22 against Chilliwack.
  • The Wolf Pack have won four consecutive games.
  • Delta has scored 107 goals and let in 32. Both stats are first in the league.
  • Luke Bradley and Matthew Carniel will wear A’s on their home uniforms. Ryan Hunter and JJ Pickell will serve as alternate captains when the Wolf Pack play on the road.
  • 13 players on the Wolf Pack are back from last season
  • Alex Binette (F) and Nik Jerris (G) are currently the only 20 year olds on the Wolf Pack.

 

Final Words

This is the third meeting of the season between these two teams and the second game taking place at Harry Jerome. Delta took game 1 with a 9-1 home victory on September 20th and defeated the Wolf Pack 10-1 at home on October 10th. The fourth and final regular season meeting is set for January 3rd in Delta.