Silvan Harper’s goal in double overtime gave the Merritt Centennial’s a 4-3 win over the visiting Chilliwack Chiefs Sunday afternoon. The Chiefs had trailed 3-0 early in the third but rallied to send the game to extra time and earn a single point.
The loss was the third of the season for the Chiefs who saw their record fall to 4-2-0-1. With the two points the Centennials (4-4-1-2) moved into a three way tie for third place in the Interior Conference.
Chiefs forward David Bondra had the best scoring chance of the opening period when he had a clear breakaway from center ice five minutes into the game. Bondra tried a backhand to forehand deke but was stopped by the left pad of Centennials net minder Tyler Steel.
Shots through 20 minutes favoured the home team 11-10.
There were no penalties in the first period.
Cents forward Brent Fletcher opened the scoring 88 seconds into the second period. Fletcher picked off an errant Chiefs pass at the Chilliwack blue line, took three strides and beat Chiefs goaltender Mitch Gillam through the legs for his fourth goal of the season.
Merritt doubled their lead on the power play at 12:46 when Brandon Pfeil’s wrist shot from the point found its way through a crowd in front of Gillam in to the top corner of the net. Assists on Pfeil’s fourth goal of the season went to Chad Brears and Evan Stack.
The Chiefs had a good chance in the final minute of the second when defenseman Mike Spring blocked a shot at his own blue line and had a clear lane to the Cents net. Spring shot the puck wide.
Through forty minutes Merritt held a 26-21 advantage in shots.
The Centennials need just 28 seconds of the third period to increase their lead to 3-0. Capitalizing on a Chiefs turnover at the Merritt blue line Evan Stack sent Regan Soquila in all alone. Soquila beat Gillam low blocker side.
The Chiefs finally got on the board less than ninety seconds later on the power play when a Mike Berry point shot was deflected behind Steel by David Thompson. It was Thompson's first goal of the season. Mike Spring also picked up an assist on the goal.
David Bondra's second of the season with three minutes left in the third made the score 3-2.
With just 36 seconds left in the third, Derek Huisman roofed home a shot from a scrum in front to tie the game at three and send the game to overtime.
After a scoreless five minute four on four session, the teams went to five minutes of sudden death three on three.
The Chiefs had a great chance to earn the win but Derek Huisman was unable to beat Steel on a breakaway.
Moments later Silvan Harper banged in a loose puck to give Merritt the win.
Final shots favoured the home team 40-36.
Next action for the Chiefs is a three games in three nights trip through Alberni Valley, Victoria and Nanaimo beginning Friday night.
