The Aldergrove Kodiaks retain a firm grip on the number one spot in their division after defeating Ridge Meadows Flames 4-3 in overtime, Saturday, Jan. 24 at Planet Ice.
Kodiak Brandon Dolby earned the game's first star by opening the scoring 19 seconds into the game, unassisted. Flame Brandon Inwood responded halfway through the first with a score but Dolby notched another at 13:10, assisted by captain Aaron Markin and Quinncy Leroux, to put the Kodiaks up 2-1 going into the second.
The Kodiaks pulled ahead early in the second period with a goal by Elvis Janson, from Cameron Davitt and Eric Callegari, but the Flames responded a couple minutes later for the frame's only other goal.
The Flames evened it up in the third with a short-handed goal by Boston Colley to put the game into overtime.
Kodiak Davitt scored the winner at 1:34 in the first overtime, assisted by Callegari.
The Kodiaks outshot the Flames 46-34 and the goalies, Kodiak Ben Giesbrecht and Flame Kurt Klimek were the game's second and third stars, respectively.
The 4-3 result puts the Kodiaks at 45 points after 38 games (19-12-2-5), three points ahead of Abbotsford Pilots, with six regular season games left to play, as well as a guaranteed spot in the playoffs next month. Langley Knights follow at 40 points, one ahead of Mission Outlaws and the Flames trail at 28 points.
There are only six regular season games left for the Kodiaks, as follows: host Grandview Steelers Jan. 28; at Abbotsford Pilots Jan. 30; host Abbotsford Pilots Feb. 4; at Langley Knights Feb. 5; host Delta Ice Hawks Feb. 11; and at Mission City Outlaws Feb. 14.