The visiting Abbotsford Pilots were up 2-0 over the Aldergrove Kodiaks early in Wednesday's game but the Kodiaks woke up and took the game 3-2 in overtime.
The result means that the Kodiaks are securely locked in first place for the upcoming playoffs, with 62 points after 37 games. The Pilots are a distant second place in the division, with 50 points after 38 games, while Ridge Meadows and Mission trail at 36 and 31 points, respectively.
Pilots Mitchell Plevy and Brady Morton scored their team's only goals in the first period, and Kodiak Quinncy Leroux scored the Kodiaks' first goal, assisted by Jacob De Waal, to make it 2-1 for the Pilots at the end of the first period.
Kodiak Sam Bodnaruk scored early in the second period to even it up, assisted by Davin Padgham and Cameron Davitt. However, despite intense pressure from Kodiak forwards and a flurry of shots on goal, the Kodiaks were unable to score until 1:31 in the first overtime, with a goal from Elijah Vilio, assisted by Davitt and Arjan Cheema.
The Kodiaks outshot the Pilots in every period: 13-10 in the first, 17-9 in the second, 10-7 in the third and 2-0 in overtime, for a game total of 42-26.
The Kodiaks successfully killed seven penalties while the Pilots did the same for six.
The Kodiaks have seven regular season games remaining and can now breathe easy and rest some of their top players while giving their affiliates an opportunity to play in those seven games before playoffs begin.
Kodiaks assistant captain Cameron Davitt notched a pair of assists in the Jan. 18 3-2 overtime win over Abbotsford Pilots.
Kodiaks assistant captain Quinncy Leroux scored the first of three goals in the team's 3-2 victory over Abbotsford Pilots, Jan. 18 at Aldergrove Arena.
Kodiak Matt Oliver in action against the Abbotsford Pilots Jan. 18.
Kodiak Kurt Klimek in action against the Abbotsford Pilots Jan. 18.