PJHL Media
As we head into the PJHL’s first Friday-Saturday action of the young season, we wanted to take a quick look at some talking points around the league.
So far, six regular-season games are already in the books and with some quick starts, a few players are already looking at productive seasons if they can keep their early pace.
As usual at this time of year, players and coaches are still adjusting to new teammates and new line formations but there are already enough final scores in the books to take note of a few items.
Defending Champs Start Strong – The Langley Trappers seem in sync after one game, a 5-1 home victory over North Van in a meeting of last year’s division winners. Hometown product Anthony Bosnjak scored twice in the first period, giving the Trappers all the offence they’d need while Dylan Black was tidy in net with 20 saves in his PJHL return after a season in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League.
Surrey On The Board – Last season was a grind for the Knights but positive vibes are flowing early in 2022-23 after a couple of games played. Surrey (1-1) earned a shutout Thursday win over crosstown rival White Rock. Mason Upton was the story in net, making 44 saves while Jake Thompson‘s empty-netter to seal it was his second goal of the season as the Knights have six goals through two games.
Can’t Wait Any Longer! – The last three teams to hit the ice this season will do so Friday night. The Ridge Meadows Flames host the Mission City Outlaws in a 7:30 p.m. start while the Abbotsford Pilots welcome the 1-0 Aldergrove Kodiaks, also a 7:30 p.m. faceoff. The Flames graduated PJHL leading scorers Nicholas Amsler and Ryan Denney and are a young team right now but they return forward and Maple Ridge product Brendan Chabot as well as 6-foot-4 Cam Connolly in net coming off a 15-win season.
Richmond Raking On PP – With seven goals in a pair of wins already, the Sockeyes have struck four times on the man advantage. Tanner Milne and Matthew Stewart have been deadly on the PP with two goals each.
Hockey Night – Saturday brings the first four-game slate of the PJHL season with Surrey at Mission (6:45 p.m. faceoff), Grandview at North Van (7 p.m.), Ridge Meadows at White Rock (7:30 p.m.) and Abbotsford at Port Moody (7:45 p.m.). It’ll be part of a two-game weekend for Grandview, Ridge Meadows, Abbotsford and Mission.
