A hat trick goal in overtime from Owen Kim lifted the Vernon Vipers over the Merritt Centennials Friday night.
The two BC Hockey League Interior division teams played a closely contested game, with Merritt putting 35 shots on goalie Ethan David and the Vipers firing 34 shots on Andrew Ballantyne.
It appeared as though the Vipers had the win locked up after they went up 4-0 early in the second period, but the Cents scored four unanswered in the second period to eventually push the game to overtime.
Luke Bibby got the scoring started for the Vipers, redeeming himself after he took the game’s first two minor penalties less than three minutes into the first period.
Kim then scored two goals exactly one minute apart, the first on the powerplay and the second at even strength, to give the Vipers a 3-0 lead after one period.
Hank Cleaves scored his 11th of the season just over one minute into the second, but the rest of the period was owned by the Cents; the home team got goals from Michael Felsing, Michael Stenberg, Luke Pfoh and Easton Ryan to tie the game at four goals apiece.
There was no scoring in the third period and the teams went to overtime, where Kim played the hero, scoring his 15th goal of the season and third of the night just 1:09 into the extra frame.
Kim, who added an assist to his three goals, was named the game’s first star.
“This was a good, hard win tonight,” said Kim after the game. “We had some hiccups in the second period but I was proud of the guys for rallying back.”
Vipers assistant coach Colton Sparrow said there were some highs and lows in Friday night’s game.
“I thought we managed our emotions and got back into the fight in the third. It’s a good feeling to win in overtime. On to tomorrow,” Sparrow said.
The Vipers play a key divisional game against the Trail Smoke Eaters on the road Saturday at 7 p.m. Trail is currently three games behind the Vipers for fourth place in the Interior standings.
Merritt is also back in action Saturday as they are set to take on the division-leading Penticton Vees at the South Okanagan Events Centre at 6 p.m.
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