Devils slump continues
They rallied from a two-goal deficit to tie the conference leaders after 40 minutes, but it wasn’t enough for the North Delta Devils to avoid a third consecutive loss.
The Pacific International Junior Hockey League team fell 3-2 to the Delta Ice Hawks Tuesday night in Ladner. After hitting the midway point of the season with a 15-7-1 (won-loss-overtime loss) record – and in a three-way race for first place in the Tom Shaw conference – the Devils are just 2-8-2 since Dec. 5. At 21-15-4. They have slipped to fourth place in the five-team group, but have clinched a playoff berth.
The Ice Hawks got goals from Cody Fidgett and Aaron Merrick to take a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes, before the visitors came back to even the score.
Marco Finucci scored on a penalty shot 30 seconds into the second period, then assisted on Adam Nishi’s tally with 16 seconds left in the frame, sending the teams into the third period tied 2-2.
Mitchell Pacey of the Ice Hawks netted the winner 31 seconds in.
The Ice Hawks outshot North Delta 33-24, holding the Devils to just five third period shots.
The Devils will host the Port Moody Black Panthers tomorrow (Saturday) at 6:45 p.m. at the Sungod Arena. The Panthers are in second place in the Harold Brittain Conference with a 19-14-6 mark.
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