Playing their third overtime game of the season, the Langley Rivermen were finally able to pick up the second point up for grabs.
Jake Zeleznikar scored 1:44 into the extra frame on Wednesday (Oct. 15) night at the Langley Events Centre in a 4-3 victory over the visiting Surrey Eagles.
The Rivermen dominated the BCHL junior A hockey game from start to finish, as they peppered Surrey goaltender Christian Short with 59 shots on goal.
Zeleznikar's game-winner snuck in between the arm of Short.
"Our guys came out with some good jump," said Rivermen assistant coach Kurt Astle.
"We had some success early but didn't get the results we wanted on the chances we generated, but I was happy to see the guys stick with it.
"We didn't sit back at all and I was happy to see our guys step up and get the win."
Langley led 36-19 in shots on goal through two periods, but the score was just 1-0 Rivermen as captain Kevan Kilistoff scored his team-leading fifth of the year on a first period power play.
The Eagles tied the score early in the second when Spencer Unger beat Bo Didur, but the Rivermen responded with goals nine seconds apart from Gage Torrel and Ryan Coulter.
Torrel's goal came 34 seconds after Surrey tied it and the goal-scoring flurry continued as 11 seconds after Coulter had made it 3-1, Joseph Drapluk cut the lead down to a goal.
Ty Westgard forced overtime with less than four minutes later and the Eagles actually thought they had won the game 11 seconds into the extra period, but the goal was waved off because of incidental contact with Didur.
Didur finished with 26 saves.
The victory improved Langley to 4-3-0-2 on the season and their 10 points have them third in the Mainland Division. The Rivermen have just one regulation loss in their past seven games.
That defeat came on the road in Surrey on Oct. 5.
"Langley was quick in the first period," said Surrey coach and general manager Blaine Neufeld.
"When we played them at our barn, they were playing their third game in three days.
"Tonight they were fresh and showed they wanted it more."
"We couldn't let off the gas pedal," said Rivermen forward Marcus Vela.
"We played a full 60 minutes and that was the main focus coming into today and we came away with a positive result."
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The Rivermen are on the road for a pair this weekend with stops in Trail on Saturday and Salmon Arm on Sunday.