Tyrell Buckley played the overtime hero for the Merritt Centennials, lifting them to a 2-1 home win over the Penticton Vees that forces a decisive Game 7 meeting Monday in Penticton.
Zach Zorn opened the scoring for the Cents in the first with Nick Fidanza and Cade Gleekel chipping in with assists on the goal. Matt Gosiewski tied it for Penticton just past the midway point of the second, set up by Chris Klack and Jamie Armstrong.
The third period was scoreless as the goaltenders continued their stellar play on the evening with Jacob Berger turning aside 16 shots in both the first and third periods and 47 overall while Mat Robson stopped 24 in the first and 50 for the game.
Knotted 1-1, overtime was needed for the second time in as many games in Merritt. Buckley, a Penticton native who scored just two goals in 56 regular-season games, managed his second of the postseason with Michael Regush and Zach Metsa setting it up.
Game 7 goes Monday at 7 p.m. in Penticton with the winner moving on to face the Vernon Vipers in the Interior finals.
