Islanders Outlast Saints

Submitted by League Reporter, Jen Mutas

The last time Delta and Poco faced each other in the beginning of May the Islanders played a calculated sixty minute match for their home fans, never losing their lead from the first period and out-working the Saints on special teams. Delta doubled up the Saints 14-7 on the scoresheet, and now it was Port Coquitlam’s opportunity to pull out a home win and even up the season series.

The opening twenty minutes would have much of the same start as the first game, with both teams playing physical with some great end-to-end action. Chris Jones opened scoring for the Saints in the first, and the two teams would trade goals for the remainder of the period. Mike Berekoff had a natural hat trick for the Islanders as he put away the first three goals for his team, but Chris Jones would end the period as he started it for the Saints, scoring on the power play with just thirty seven seconds left to give the home team the slim one goal lead heading into the first break.

Delta absolutely owned the special teams performance in the second period, which seemed to tip the game in their favour and provide the boost needed to take control and break out against the Saints. The Islanders converted all five of their power play opportunities, including three quick goals at the end of the period from either turnovers, or calculated fast breaks. Delta goalie Blake Duncan looked extra confident in the second period, standing tall and playing calm, making fourteen saves and was only beat once by the quick stick of Chris Jones, who was set up nicely off a Delta turnover.

Losing their lead after the first the Saints came out with some tenacity in the third as Jimmy Delaney dove across the Delta crease and was rewarded for his efforts by the refs. Delta wasn’t about to give the Saints a sniff at a comeback though as Matt Messenger answered back on the next Islanders possession, and buried the ball past Mike Lowe before they had announced Delaney’s goal. Entering the Delta end while playing four-on-four, Scott Jones would get a high stick to the face while the refs weren’t looking and made it count for something, as he unloaded on the net from way outside the shooting circle. Chris Jones would get his fourth goal of the night for the Saints picking up a rebound off Duncan as the thirty second clock ran out, quick sticking it in over his right shoulder. Delta however still had the upper hand as Mallory ended out his action in the third with a power play goal and his seventh point; a bit of an unsung hero on the night for the Islanders, Cody Hawkins would have the final goal for the visitors scoring an unassisted empty netter. Hawkins goal wasn’t necessarily the highlight of his play as it was scored on an empty net, but it was his relentless forechecking and work on the PK that stood out the most.

Despite being outshot the Islanders pulled out another win and the final from the Poco Rec Centre was 13-10 for the visitors. Delta looks to continue their winning ways as they host Victoria on Saturday night in Ladner.