Zach Risteau’s goal with 6:43 left in the third period broke a 2-2 and stood up as the winner in a 5-2 Merritt win in Chilliwack Friday night.
The loss drops the Chiefs to 25-22-3-3. Coupled with the Surrey Eagle’s win over the Prince George Spruce Kings, the Chiefs are now in third place in the mainland division, two points back of the second place Eagles with one game in hand.
The Chiefs led 1-0 after one on a goal by Harrison Blaisdell just nine seconds into the game. Chilliwack dominated the first period outshooting the visitors 15-6.
The tide turned in the second period, with the Cents getting the only two goals of the middle frame. Nicholas Wicks tied the game with a power play goal 44 seconds in, before Rylan Van Unen put the Cents in front at 5:26.
Chiefs forward Tommy Lee’s team leading 18th of the season tied the game at with just over three minutes gone in the third period.
The Cents scored two empty net goals in the game’s final minute.
Chilliwack now travels to Alberni Valley Saturday night and Powell River Sunday afternoon.
