The Merritt Centennials were down but never out on Friday night, bouncing back from a 3-1 third period deficit on home ice top top the Langley Chiefs in overtime by a 4-3 margin at the Nicola Valley Arena.
Jordan Soquila opened the scoring for the Centennials at the 13:39 mark of the first period, converting a feed from Matt Mazzarolo to beat Chiefs netminder Andrew Walsh. But Langley took control in the second, picking up goals from Brandon Thompson and Tim Daly just 57 seconds apart to grab the lead.
Chiefs blueliner Dennis Robertson picked up his third point of the night with a goal midway through the third period, but the Centennials rebounded with a pair of goals from Dustin Johnson — including the tying marker with just 18 seconds remaining in regulation — to sent the game to overtime.
Daniel Chang then sent the home fans away happy just 12 seconds into the extra frame off a set-up from Steve Tresierra and Soquila.
Both netminders faced no shortage of rubber on the night, with Centennials starter Cole Holowenko turning aside 41 shots in the win. Walsh made 39 saves in a losing cause.
The teams will face one another again on Saturday, this time at the Langley Events Centre.
