Wild open with pre-season wins against BCHL teams

The Wenatchee Wild of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) opened up 2012 preseason play over the weekend with a pair of wins against British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) teams in British Columbia. The Wild beat the Vernon Vipers Saturday, 9-5, then capped off the weekend with a 3-2 victory over the Salmon Arm Silverbacks.

In two seasons, the Wild have posted a 6-2 record against teams from the BCHL in the pre-season.
 
The Wild exploded for nine goals Saturday against the Vipers in Vernon, British Columbia. Winger Blake Roubos, the Wild’s leading scorer in the 2012 playoffs, picked up right where he left off last season Saturday when he scored two goals and added two assists against the Vipers.
 
On Sunday, Chris Kerr, Jake O’Borsky and Nathan Flynn scored goals in the Wild’s 3-2 victory over the Silverbacks in Salmon Arm, British Columbia.
 
“We’re just getting going,” Wild head coach Bliss Littler said after Sunday’s win over the Silverbacks. “I’m excited. I like the group we have here.”
 
The Wild returned to Wenatchee Sunday night and will practice at the Town Toyota Center Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday before concluding its preseason with a trio of games this weekend against BCHL teams.
 
This Friday, the Wild will take on the West Kelowna Warriors at 7 p.m. On Saturday, Wenatchee will square off with the Penticton Vees at 5 p.m. before closing out preseason play against the Langley Rivermen Sunday at 7 p.m. There is a link on the Wild webpage where fans can go to listen to all three of this weekend’s games.

In other NAHL pre-season action last weekend, the Soo Eagles defeated the 3HL's Flint Jr. Generals in a pair of exhibition games.