The Merritt Centennials picked an opportune time to collect their first win of the young British Columbia Hockey League season, grabbing two points courtesy a Jeff Zmurchyk double overtime winner that clinched a 4-3 victory on the road in Vernon.
The Cents has their power-play to thank for Tuesday's result, as Regan Soquila, Dustin Johnson and Jeff Jones all tallied with man-advantage as part of a 3-for-4 night. Johnson's late first period tally put Merritt ahead temporarily, but a second period reply from Steven Weinstein and a go-ahead marker from Marcus Basara put the visitors on the verge of a winless-in-five run.
Jones tied the game at the 6:44 mark of the third and Johnson's second of the night on a penalty shot gave the Cents the lead. But a last-minute equalizaer from Dylan Walchuk forced overtime and cued Zmurchyk's heroics.
Tyler Steel picked up his first BCHL win against the team he suited up for in training camp, stopping 30 of the 34 shots sent his way. Bryton Udy made 19 saves in a losing effort.
Meanwhile, in Penticton, the Vees enjoyed a double-overtime triumph of their own when a Logan Johnston goal sent the hosts to a 3-2 win over the Prince George Spruce Kings.
The Northern visitors were in a hole early after goals by Bradley Robbins and Derik Johnson put the Vees ahead by two less than seven minutes into regulation. But Prince George charged to within one with 33 seconds remaining in the first and tied the game with less than seven minutes to play when RJay Berra connected on his third goal of the season.
Billy Faust collected the win in goal for the Vees with a 24-save performance, while Kirk Thompson faced 29 shots in the loss after replacing Ryan Benitez in the first period.
There are a trio of BCHL games on the go Wednesday night, including:
- Prince George at Salmon Arm, 7:00 PM
- Trail at Surrey, 7:00 PM
- Westside at Cowichan Valley, 7:00 PM
