For the first time in this year’s impressive playoff run, the Mission Outlaws Junior B hockey squad has drawn first blood.
Mission won its opening game of the best of seven Pacific Junior Hockey League championship 4-3 against the North Vancouver Wolf Pack on Monday night.
The locals – who lost the first game against both the Langley Knights and the Aldergrove Kodiaks in the opening two rounds – fell behind 1-0 in the opening period against the Wolf Pack, but there was no quit in the Mission squad.
The Outlaws tied the game at one when Bryce Pisiak found the back of the Wolf Pack net.
Things began to look bleak for the Outlaws chances when North Vancouver popped in two goals in five minutes to take a 3-1 lead into the second frame.
However, the Outlaws stuck to their game plan and began to chip away at the lead.
Ryan Sharma scored in the second period to narrow the game to 3-2. In the third period, Mission found the back of the net again when Brock Padgham scored to tie it.
Pisiak scored his second of the night to give the Mission squad the win.
Bryce Phenix earned the victory thanks to some solid play in net.
Mission will now host the Wolf Pack for game two of the series on Wednesday night (March 18) at the Mission Liesure Centre.
Puck drops at 7 p.m.
