Nicholas Wicks’ second goal of the night 3:41 into overtime capped a comeback 5-4 win for the Merritt Centennials over the Coquitlam Express in their BC Hockey League game, Wednesday at the Poirier Sports and Leisure Complex.
The Express carried a 4-2 lead into the last four minutes of the third period after scoring twice in each of the first two periods.
Merritt’s Daniel Tkac got the Centennials within one with 3:50 left in regulation and then, with goalie Austin Roden on the bench for an extra attacker Wicks tapped in the tying goal with just 36 seconds remaining on the clock. Officials at first waved the goal off but after conferring, decided it hadn’t been hit with a high stick.
Danny Pearson, Chase Danol, Christian Sanda and Alex DiPaolo scored Coquitlam’s goals, while Express keeper Kolby Matthews stopped 32 of the 37 shots he faced.
Merritt’s win moved them one point ahead of the Penticton Vees for first place in the Interior division, though the Vees now have a game in hand.
Coquitlam remains in third place in the Mainland division, seven points ahead of the Langley Rivermen and 10 points back of the Prince George Spruce Kings and Chilliwack Chiefs.
The Express host the Chiefs on Friday at 7 p.m.
