Mission's Rico Vantunen pushes the puck forward during the Outlaws game against the Pilots on Saturday. (John Morrow/Abbotsford News)

Mission's Rico Vantunen pushes the puck forward during the Outlaws game against the Pilots on Saturday. (John Morrow/Abbotsford News)

Mission Outlaws win two of three in exhibition hockey action

Mission picks up wins over Abbotsford, Port Moody over weekend

The Mission City Outlaws started off the Pacific Junior Hockey League’s exhibition schedule on a high note, winning two of three games over the weekend.

Mission opened the run, dropping a 4-1 decision to the Abbotsford Pilots at the MSA Arena on Friday.

The teams were tied at one after one, but the Pilots then took over in the second period with three unanswered goals to cruise to the win. Mission outshot Abbotsford 29-28 in the contest.

The two teams met again in Mission on Saturday, with the Outlaws hanging on for a 5-4 win at the Mission Leisure Centre.

The game was tied at one again after 20 minutes, but the second period saw Mission take a 3-1 lead. The teams traded goals in the final frame, with Mission holding off a third-period charge from the Pilots.

The Outlaws wrapped up the weekend with another 5-4 win, this time over the Port Moody Panthers at the MLC on Sunday.

Mission trailed 3-1 after two periods, but then battled back for three goals in the third period to tie the game at four and send it to overtime. The Outlaws earned the win in the extra period.

Mission wraps up the August exhibition game with another tilt against the Panthers on Saturday in Port Moody. Faceoff is set for 7:45 p.m. at the Port Moody Arena.

The Outlaws’ exhibition run wraps up on Sept. 1, when they host the Aldergrove Kodiaks at the MLC. That game is scheduled for 6:45 p.m.

Mission’s PJHL regular-season opener occurs on Sept. 5, when they take on the Langley Trappers at the George Preston Recreation Centre. The home opener for the club is on Sept. 8, when the Pilots come to the MLC.

For more, visit missioncityoutlaws.com.

Mission City Record