The Surrey Knights have been languishing in the Pacific Junior Hockey League all this season, unable to get a break in 29 games other than a single point for an overtime loss.
They took another beating on Wednesday at Aldergrove Arena, when the top team in the league, the Aldergrove Kodiaks handed them a 15-3 loss.
The Kodiaks have 50 points after 31 games, with the most wins in the league (25) and fewest losses (6), and are assured of a playoff spot when the regular season ends in February.
The Kodiaks have five regular season home games left, and a similar number of away games.
The Kodiaks were up 6-1 over the Knights at the end of the first period, 9-3 and the end of the second and scored another half dozen goals in the third for the 15-3 win.
Top scorer was Kodiaks Jake De Waal with three, along with Kurt Klimek who scored three plus an assist. Kodiaks affiliate Casey Whintors was the game’s second star with a goal and a pair of assists, and Arjan Cheema was third star with an assist.
Kodiaks scorers also included Matt Oliver, Ryleigh Anderson, Ryan Martel, Kyle Bosko (2), Davin Padgham (2), and Cameron Davitt.
The Kodiaks outshot the Knights 57-19 and scored on one of four power plays.
The Knights are out of the running for this year’s playoffs, in which the first rounds will see Harold Brittain conference teams Aldergrove Kodiaks (50 points), Abbotsford Pilots (41 points), Rudge Meadows Flames (32 points) and Mission Outlaws (26 points) battle it out this spring.
Over in the Tom Shaw conference the playoffs will include Delta Ice Hawks (44 points), Grandview Steelers (40), Richmond Sockeyes (34), North Vancouver Wolf Pack (26) and possibly Port Moody Panthers (22).
The Kodiaks play a pair of games on Jan. 1 and 2 against the Sockeyes and Ice Hawks at Richmond Arena.
The Kodiaks first home game of the new year will be on Jan. 11 versus the Wolf Pack, followed by away at Flames on Jan. 13.
Kodiaks affiliate keeper Holden Davidson held the visitors scoreless in a third period 15-3 clobbering of the Surrey Knights at Aldergrove Arena, Dec. 21. Kodiak Elijah Vilio helps defend the net from a Knight attack.
Kodiak Clayton Schroeder wrestles for the puck with Surrey Knights keeper at Aldergrove Arena, Dec. 21.
KURT LANGMANN PHOTOS
