What was once a six-point deficit for teams chasing the Valley West Hawks for third place has been cut in half.
The Hawks dropped both ends of a BC Hockey Major Midget League doubleheader with the Vancouver Canadians last weekend, and now have just a three-point lead on the Vancouver Chiefs in the standings with the Canadians just four points back.
Valley West had won 17 of 26 games prior to the holiday break, but resumed league play with a 2-1 loss in Richmond Saturday and an 8-2 setback Sunday at the Langley Events Centre.
The weekend started well for the Hawks, who took a 1-0 lead into the third period of Saturday's game, only to give up a pair of goals in the final 15 minutes. Jesse Lansdell netted the Valley West goal with Justin Wilde earning an assist.
The Canadians twice scored two goals in less than a minute in the opening period of Sunday's contest, and led by three goals after 20 minutes. Goals 52 seconds apart lifted them to a 2-0 lead before Lansdell got one back for Valley West, on an assist by Matt Bradley of Surrey. Another pair of Canadians tallies 57 seconds apart upped the count to 4-1. They led 8-1 before the Hawks netted their second goal, scored by Bradley.
The Hawks will play twice again next week, hosting the last-place Kootenay Ice at the Langley Events Centre. Game times are 2:30 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. Sunday.