It was not the start the Victoria Cougars were looking for in the 2013 Cyclone Taylor Cup.
The Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League champs were downed 5-2 by the Pacific Junior Hockey League-champion Richmond Sockeyes in the opening game of the sa国际传媒 Junior B championship tournament Thursday at the Comox Valley Sports Centre.
Wade Johnson and Brody Coulter scored the Cougar goals. Richmond led 2-1 and 5-2 by periods.
Evan Roch started in goal for the Cougars, with Michael Herringer playing the third period.
The host and Island runner-up Comox Valley Glacier Kings were taking on the Kootenay International Junior League representatives, Castlegar Rebels, in the late game Thursday.
Today鈥檚 games have the Cougars playing the Rebels at 3:30 p.m. and Glacier Kings meeting the Sockeyes at 7:30 p.m. The Saturday games feature Castlegar against Richmond at 3:30 p.m. and the all-Island Cougars-Glacier Kings matchup at 7:30 p.m.
The bronze-medal game is Sunday at 10:30 a.m., followed by the gold-medal game at 2:30 p.m.
The sa国际传媒 champion advances to the Keystone Cup Western Canadian championship April 17-21 in St. Malo, Man.
The Cougars are looking to avenge last year鈥檚 3-2 double overtime loss in the Cyclone Taylor Cup championship game to the Abbotsford Pilots, who went on to win the Keystone Cup Western title.
The last Island team to win the Cyclone Taylor Cup was the Peninsula Panthers in 2011. The Cougars have won it once previously in 2007.
The other Cyclone Taylor Cup champions from the Island were the Campbell River Storm in 1999, Saanich Braves in 1976, Victoria Cubs in 1971 and Comox Totems in 1967.
The Sockeyes won the Cyclone Taylor Cup in 2009, 2004, 2003 and 1992. The Rebels are attempting to become the first Interior team to win it since the Osoyoos Storm in 2005.
The Cranbrook Colts have the most Cyclone Taylor Cup championships with seven, the last in 1987.
The 2014 Cyclone Taylor Cup will be hosted in the Kootenays by the Nelson Maple Leafs.
