The Langley Knights battled back from a 3-1 deficit to pull even after 40 minutes. But it was the visiting Abbotsford Pilots scoring twice in the game's final five minutes — including an empty-netter — to prevail 5-3.
The two junior B hockey rivals clashed on Thursday night at the George Preston Recreation Centre with the Knights early-season struggles continuing as they fell to 1-6-0-1 in the Pacific Junior Hockey League.
Brendan Campbell scored twice in the loss while Lincoln Lane had the other goal for the Knights.
Mitchell Plevy — a Langley hockey product — notched the winner with 4:53 to go in the game with a power-play goal.
The Pilots outshot Langley by a wide margin, 44-19 with affiliate goaltender Robert Nawrot making 39 saves.
The Knights had just 14 skaters compared to Abbotsford's 18.
The Knights will look to return to the win column when they visit the Grandview Steelers on Sunday afternoon at the Burnaby Winter Club. The Steelers are a perfect 6-0-0-0.
Langley's next home game is Oct. 8 when they host the Ridge Meadows Flames at the Preston Centre.