The Ridge Meadows Flames losing streak hit four games after taking an 8-1 drubing at the hands of the Richmond Sockeyes Friday night at Planet Ice.
The Flames’ team defence continues to be a problem, giving up 51 shots to the Sockeyes, 40 over the final two periods.
Trailing 1-0 after the first frame, the Flames’ defence came unhinged in the second, giving up four goals on 21 shots while registering just five.
Down 5-1 heading into the third, the Flames then came unglued. The team took seven minor penalties and two 10-minute misconducts, including Ryan Welburn getting booted for a checking from behind major.
In total, the Flames racked up 13 penalties for 50 minutes.
Bradley Crompton scored the Flames’ only goal 17:47 into the second period, with assists going to Andrew Strelezki and Jacob Cronin.
Rookie goalie Liam Murphy took the loss for the Flames, giving up four goals on 37 shots. Starter Jeremy Tamelin played 10:26 of relief and gave up four goals on 14 shots.
The Sockeyes went 3-9 on the power play, while the Flames were blanked on thier two chances.
The Flames have given up 27 goals in five games while scoring just 10.
The Flames will look to get back into the win column Friday, when they host the Langley Knights at Planet Ice.
The Flames will be looking to take advantage of a tired team, as the Knights play host to the Mission City Outlaws on Thursday, Sept. 24. The Knights have one win, two losses and an overtime loss this year, sitting one point ahead of the last place Flames in the Harold Brittain conference.
The Flames are on the road to take on the young North Vancouver Wolf Pack Saturday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m.