The Nanaimo junior A Timbermen didn’t let a slow start get them down against the Langley Thunder Sunday as they battled from behind to win the season opener 8-7 in overtime.
The hometown Thunder came out gunning in the first period, peppering Nanaimo goaltender Devon Winters with 18 shots for six goals to take a 6-3 lead.
Langley continued the assault in the second frame, outshooting Nanaimo 20-11, but Winters elevated his game, allowing just one goal, while the Timbermen capitalized with two goals to claw their way back in.
From there, Winters was unbeatable, while his team beat Thunder goalie Keenan Lambright for two more tallies to tie the game 7-7 at the end of regulation. Matt Bailey took a pass from Isaac Haack for the game-winner at the 10:49 mark of OT.
Kyle Hofer (3), James Spence, Paul Brebber (2) and Haack all scored in regulation for Nanaimo.
Nanaimo hosts the Delta Islanders Friday (May 6) 7:30 p.m. at the Nanaimo Ice Centre. Please see Thursday’s News Bulletin for a preview.