It took overtime, but the Langley Rivermen head into the holiday break with a season-high five game winning streak.
Zac Masson forced overtime with 25 seconds to play and Andrew Dumaresque popped home the winner 2:30 into extra time as the junior A hockey club defeated the Merritt Centennials 5-4 on Saturday night at Merritt’s Nicola Valley Memorial Arena.
The Rivermen used a potent power play as they struck for three goals with the man advantage.
The victory improved Langley to 16-14-13-2 and third place in the BCHL’s Mainland Division.
The Rivermen never led until the very end, four times rallying back from one-goal deficits.
Merritt led 2-1 after 20 minutes with John Schuldt scoring in between a pair of Centennial goals.
Gavin Payne had the only goal of the second period to knot things up at two goals apiece.
Cameron Ginnetti would tie the score at three after Merritt went ahead early in the period before Masson again brought the Rivermen to even terms.
Bo Didur made 35 saves for the victory.
Langley is back in action with a pair of road games in Prince George on Dec. 29 and 30 against the Spruce Kings. Prince George is one point behind the Rivermen in the Mainland Division standings.
The Rivermen have won six of seven games this month.