The Chilliwack Chiefs regained sole possession of top spot in the BCHL and Mainland Division tonight with a come from behind 4-3 overtime win over the Merritt Centennials. They are also the first team to reach 30 wins so far this season.
The game seesawed back and forth with Merritt’s Ben Ward opening the scoring at 2:22 of the first stanza. Merritt would carry that 1-0 lead into the intermission. When play resumed, Carter Wilkie notched his 7th of the season from Brett Willits on the power play. Moments later Merritt took the lead again on a goal by Frazer Dod and the second period would end with Merritt up 2-1. With the help of Harrison Blaisdell, Matt Holmes potted his 18th goal of the season at the 2:40 mark of the third. The game would stay tied until the 17:31 mark of the period when Merritt’s Brendan Schneider put the Cents ahead 3-2. But the Chiefs weren’t going down without a fight as Marcus Tesink scored his third of the season with 38 seconds left in the game to knot the score at 3 forcing overtime. Matt Holmes scored at the 2:44 mark of the first overtime to give the Chiefs the win and the all important two points.
The Chiefs next game is Friday night in Surrey against the Eagles, their next home game is on Wednesday January 23rd against the Coquitlam Express at 7pm.
