The New Westminster Salmonbellies appeared to like the system under new head coach Steve Goodwin, running out to a 15-12 win over the Nanaimo Timbermen on Sunday.
Alex Gajic opened the league season with six points and a first-star outing, including a hat trick.
Fellow righthander Jordan McBride shared the scoring lead with Gajic, with two goals and four helpers. Lefthander Tom Johnson had two goals and five points for the 'Bellies, who outscored Nanaimo 5-4 in each of the three periods.
Neil Tyacke made 33 stops to get the win in goal, including a key stop with the T-Men leading 76 early in the second period that preceded a four-goal New Westminster run moments later.
"I was very happy with the way it started. It's a new system in general, but as the game went on, we got stronger," said Goodwin.
New West also received some immediate payback from a number of newcomers to the team.
Chet Koneczny, who came to New Westminster recently from Victoria in exchange for the playing rights to Rory Smith, wasted no time showing his worth, scoring the club's first goal of the season at 27 seconds of the opening period.
Third overall pick in the WLA junior draft, Jeff Cornwall, also contributed his first career goal, scoring an unassisted tally shorthanded in the breakout middle period.
Third-round pick Reagan Harding also shone, earning the game's third star following a three-point debut, including his first two senior A goals.
"We were impressed," added Goodwin. "We're asking the players for a more uptempo game."
New Westminster will welcome Victoria to Queen's Park Arena for Thursday's home opener. Game time is 7: 45 p.m.
