The Ridge Meadows Flames overcame an early two-goal deficit to defeat the North Delta Devils 4-3 in overtime Friday night at home, snapping the Devils’ five-game win streak.
The win brings the local junior B hockey club to an even .500 record for the first time this season, with five wins, five losses, one tie, and one overtime loss.
The Devils came out hot Friday night, taking a 2-0 lead in the first period, shelling Flames’ goalie Wes McLeod with 16 shots.
It wasn’t until the 12:47 mark of the second period that Clayton Lake got the Flames on the board with his first goal in a Ridge Meadows uniform.
Nolan Wallinger tied things up five minutes into the third period before Nicholas Coltura put the Flames ahead with a power play goal at 12:02.
The Devils didn’t give up without a fight, however, and managed to tie the game at three apiece with a power play goal of their own with five minutes left in regulation.
With the score still knotted at 3-3, the teams went to overtime, where it was all Ridge Meadows. The Flames outshot the Devils 3-0, as Paul Piluso scored the winner to give the Flames their fourth win in six games.
Coltura was named the game’s first star for his two-point performance, while Marco Ballarin, who registered an assist, was named the game’s second star.
Also notching points for the Flames were Alexander Smith, Jacob Taylor, Adam Bartsch, Sean Pesut and Reece Rivard, who each tallied assists.
McLeod finished the night with 28 saves on 31 shots, while Flames were able to muster 25 shots on net at the other end of the rink.
The Flames power play was one-for-three, while the penalty kill allowed two goals on six opportunities.
The Flames next home game is this Friday against the Delta Ice Hawks at Planet Ice in Maple Ridge. Game time is at 7:30 p.m.
