The third period spelled doom for the Mission City Outlaws in the club’s Pacific Junior Hockey League season opener against the Langley Trappers on Sept. 5.
The Outlaws held a 2-1 lead heading into the last 20 minutes, but Langley took over in the final frame to earn the 4-3 win at the George Preston Recreation Centre.
Langley broke a 3-3 tie with 4:13 remaining to seal the win.
One positive for Mission was the stellar play of the top line of Max Corazza, Kyle Mooney and Tristyn Olson.
The veteran trio were in on all three goals, with Mooney (two goals, one assist) and Corazza (one goal, two assists) each collecting three points. Olson added a pair of helpers.
The Outlaws were also impressive on the power play, scoring twice with the man advantage. The club also managed to kill all seven penalties they were assessed.
Mission goalie Matthew Trulsen was solid in goal, stopping 40 shots as the Outlaws were outshot 44-33 on the game.
The team’s home opener was originally scheduled for Saturday, but that tilt against the Abbotsford Pilots was re-scheduled so players from both the Outlaws and Pilots could attend memorial services on Saturday afternoon for former PJHL player Robert Nawrot.
The 19-year-old, who died on Aug. 28, played last season with the Pilots, and spent two previous PJHL campaigns with the Knights organization in Langley and Surrey.
Several Outlaws players attended the event, which occurred in Abbotsford on Saturday.
Mission returned to action on Wednesday, when they traveled to Aldergrove to battle the Kodiaks. Results from that game were not available at press time.
The Outlaws home opener will now occur this Saturday (Sept. 15) when the Richmond Sockeyes come to the Mission Leisure Centre. Face-off is set for 6:45 p.m.
For more on the team, visit missioncityoutlaws.com.