The Langley Knights and Aldergrove Kodiaks will play their first game of the new year against each other – at Richmond’s Minoru Arena at 10 a.m. next Saturday, Jan. 2.
For those not in the know, the game is part of a unique, first-ever tournament in Richmond involving all 10 Pacific Junior Hockey League teams to celebrate the junior B loop’s 50th anniversary.
The Kodiaks play the next day (Sunday, Jan. 3) at Minoru Arena against the Ridge Meadows Flames. Game time is 1 p.m.
The Knights get a little longer rest than their cross-town rivals. Also on Sunday (Jan. 3), they’ll be taking on the host Richmond Sockeyes at Minoru with a 7 p.m. opening puck drop.
Next weekend's PJHL Winter Classic is a showcase tournament designed to promote the league's players, and runs from Jan. 1 to 3 at Minoru Arena.
Results count towards the regular season standings.
Each team will play twice over the three days, and according to the PJHL, “it’s a perfect opportunity for coaches and scouts from junior A, major junior and university programs to check out the wealth of talent in the Pacific Junior Hockey League.”
The Kodiaks have been so-so thus far. Aldergrove holds down third place in the PJHL’s Harold Brittain Conference with a 15-12-0-2 record.
It’s been a terrible second season in the PJHL for the Knights, however, as they occupy the Harold Brittain cellar with a 4-25-0-2 mark.