Vees drop season opener

Photo: Contributed

The Langley Rivermen were the only team that didn’t lose to the Penticton Vees a season ago, and they had the Vees number once again on the opening night of a new BCHL season.

Langley downed Penticton 5-2 in their own building on Friday night, breaking out in the third with three third-period goals.

The first goal of the Vees season went to veteran defender James Miller, who scored 32 seconds into the game to put Penticton on the board.

Langley scored two of their own later in the period to take a lead after 20 minutes. New Vees forward and Ottawa Senators draft pick Luke Loheit scored early in the middle frame to even things back at two. 

Trevor Ayre scored for Langley just over three minutes into the third for the eventual game-winning goal. The Rivermen struck twice more in the second half of the third, both times on the power play. 

Penticton led 24-16 in shots on the night. Goalie Jack LaFontaine, a Carolina Hurricanes draft pick, surrendered five goals on 16 shots in the Vees crease. 

The loss for Penticton is only its second in its first game of the season in the past 12 years. 

Last season, after starting the year undefeated in nine games, the Vees first loss also came at the hands of the Rivermen. 

Penticton now has a week off from game action before a two-game trip to Vancouver Island next weekend. They visit the Cowichan Valley Capitals on Friday before a marquee matchup in Victoria with the Grizzlies on Saturday.