The Richmond Sockeyes hadn’t won a game since Sept. 24 when they edged the Port Moody Black Panthers 3-2 at Minoru Arenas.

Wouldn’t you know their next victory would come at the expense of the Panthers?

The Sockeyes scored four powerplay goals, two coming during a four-goal second period, to blank the Panthers 8-0 in the Pacific International Junior Hockey League Saturday in Port Moody.

Having picked up their first point in four games Thursday in a heartbreaking 3-2 shootout loss to the North Delta Devils, the Sockeyes were anxious to build on the positives going into Port Moody. Their frustration level added just enough motivation necessary to net two points and stay within reach of first-place North Delta, which at 10-1 is three points up on Richmond with two games in hand.

Jeremy Hamguchi, the Sockeyes’ sensational rookie who leads the team in scoring with seven goals and 16 points, opened the scoring 6:40 into the first period. Before the night was over, he also had two assists. Not to be outdone, his older brother Trevor scored twice and also picked up two assists. Trevor is a point back of Jeremy in the sibling’s scoring battle.

Sean Thorsteinson, Richmond’s other home-grown talent, also had a big outing with two goals and two assists and is third in team scoring with 14 points.

Eli Wiebe’s two goals and one by Andrew McCarthy rounded out the Sockeye scoring, while Matt Walker made 16 saves (nine in the opening period) to post his first shutout of the season.

The Sockeyes (8-4-1) will face a tougher test Thursday when the Aldergrove Kodiaks come to town (faceoff is 7:30 p.m. at Minoru Arenas). The Kodiaks lead the Harold Brittain Conference with a 10-2 mark. Arch-rival Delta Ice Hawks (6-5-1) are here Sunday for a 5:45 p.m. matinee. The game is a fundraiser for the Richmond chapter of the Community Living Society. The Delta chapter will hold a similar fundraiser when the same teams play in Ladner Oct. 27.