LANGLEY -- Pat Saunders and Shawn Evans both scored four goals as the New England Black Wolves routed the Vancouver Stealth 17-7 in the National Lacrosse League season-opener for both teams Saturday night in front of a crowd of 4,230 at Langley Events Centre.
Kyle Buchanan had a hat trick while Shane MacDonald struck twice for the Black Wolves (1-0). Ryan Hotaling, Brett Manney, Kevin Crowley and Kevin Buchanan also chipped in.
Rhys Duch had a pair of goals for Vancouver (0-1), which also got goals from Garrett Billings, Corey Small, Travis Cornwall, Joel McCready and Tyler Garrison.
Stealth defenceman Jeff Moleski of Prince George, 33, made his return to his former team after playing last season for the Calgary Roughnecks and was held off the scoresheet.
Evan Kirk made 49 saves for the win in net. Eric Penney started for the Stealth and took the loss after kicking out 21-of-33 shots in 35:37. Chris Levis came on in relief to make 17 saves.
New England scored twice on four power plays, with Vancouver going 3 for 5.
The Stealth will be back in action Friday in against the Saskatchewan Rush.
The defending NLL champion Rush moved this season to Saskatoon after 10 seasons in Edmonton.
Vancouver hosts the Colorado Mammoth on Saturday.
-- with files from The Citizen
