They blew a two-goal lead late, but thanks to Nic DeSousa, the Prince George Spruce Kings left the rink a happy bunch.
DeSousa ended Friday's battle with the Merritt Centennials with an overtime goal, 2:52 into the second five-minute overtime, to carry the Spruce Kings a 3-2 win in front of a crowd of 605 at the Coliseum.
Jeff Datoff and Connor Tiechko also scored for the Kings, who have now put together consecutive victories for the first time this season.
Merritt forced the issue with two goals in the final four minutes of regulation time. Regan Soquila cashed in on the power play at 16:32 of the third period. Then, with goalie Lino Chimienti on the bench for the extra skater, Max Vallis found the net behind Kings goalie Alex Wright with just 12 seconds left on the clock.
Wright made 34 saves as the Spruce Kings were outshot 36-29.
Nothing got settled in the first five-minute overtime period, necessitating a second OT session.
The Kings (4-15-0-2) are now just one point behind the Cents (4-10-0-4). Merritt has three games in hand. The Kings, who ended a roadtrip last weekend in Vernon with a 3-2 overtime win over the Vipers, will take on the Cents in the rematch Sunday afternoon at the Coliseum. Game time is 3 p.m.
