The Richmond Sockeyes were the superior team in every category, except the one that determines a winner.
The top team in the Pacific International Junior Hockey League outshot the North Delta Devils 56-17 last Thursday night at the Richmond Arena, but lost 2-0.
The Sockeyes lead the Tom Shaw Conference with a league best 27-6-0 (won-lost-overtime loss) record. Of the six losses, three have been against the Devils.
Outshot 20-6 after 20 minutes, North Delta went to the dressing room with a 1-0 lead on a goal by Jacob Wensley. The Sockeyes had a 24-6 edge in shots in the second frame, but Devils netminder Harry Fredeman turned aside everything sent his way.
He went on to record the shutout, a league-best third of the season. He also lowered his goals against average to 2.51, third-best in the PIJHL.
Julius Ho netted the second North Delta goal four minutes into the third period.
The Devils finished the week with a split of two games, losing 5-3 to the Abbotsford Pilots on home ice Saturday night at the Sungod Arena.
The Pilots tallied four goals, three with the man advantage, in the first 21 minutes of play for a 4-0 lead.
North Delta used their powerplay to get back into the game. Nicolas Lee got the Devils on the board six minutes into the second period, and an even strength goal by Stefan Burzan seven minutes later cut the difference to 4-2.
Manuveer Mahil netted a power play goal with five minutes to go, but despite an 11-5 edge in shots on goal, the Devils could not tie the score.
Abbotsford scored into the empty net with 35 seconds remaining.
The split left the Devils with an 18-10-4 record. Nine points behind the second place Delta Ice Hawks and 10 up on the Grandview Steelers, North Delta seems headed for a third place finish in the Tom Shaw Conference.
The Devils visit the 4-23-3 Mission Ice Breakers on Thursday, before hosting the 7-24-1 Ridge Meadows Ice Breakers next Saturday at 6:45 p.m. in the Sungod Arena.