The Mission City Outlaws started off the Pacific Junior Hockey League preseason on a high note, taking down the defending champion Aldergrove Kodiaks 4-3 in overtime in Mission on Sunday.
Mission’s Riley Friend opened the scoring late in the first period, but Aldergrove replied just 10 seconds later to even the game up, and the teams remained tied after one.
The Kodiaks turned up the heat in the second, scoring twice to grab a 3-1 lead after 40 minutes.
The third period was all Outlaws, as Doug Poelvoerd banged home a rebound to pull Mission within one at 5:14. The Outlaws continued buzzing, and Jackson O’Brien connected with a one-time with 1:40 to go to send the game to the extra frame.
Early in double overtime, with both sides skating three-on-three, Mission’s Nick Thomson found Chase Heslop breaking to the net. He fended off the defender and deked out the Aldergrove goalie to give Mission the win.
Mission outshot Aldergrove 43-24 in the victory.
After the game Friend was happy to have contributed in his debut.
“It was good to score my first goal in my first game. I actually had a few more chances I wish I had put in, but was most happy the boys got the win tonight,” he stated.
Mission blueliner Haydn Downing earned the game’s second star. He was impressed with how the team is shaping up.
“We don’t have the same size as last year, but we definitely have more speed and a great work ethic. It was also nice to get out and throw some bodies around,” he stated.
Mission returns to action tonight (Friday), when they take on the Abbotsford Pilots in Abbotsford at 7:30 p.m.