It couldn’t have been a rougher start for the Osoyoos Coyotes on Saturday night in Nelson. The Coyotes fell behind 3-0 after the opening period and trailed 5-2 with less than 15 minutes remaining. However, they plugged away and were deservedly rewarded with a 6-5 victory in overtime.
Jack Henderson finally got Osoyoos on the board with a powerplay goal, close to the midway mark of the second period. The Leafs regained their three goal lead at 4-1, but it was Levi Brewer otrimming the deficit to two by scoring at 19:59 of the second.
Nelson went ahead 5-2 early in the third period, following which the never say die Coyotes began clawing back. Ethan McKinley at 5:38, Carter Yarish on a beautiful individual effort near the end of a penalty kill at 10:22 and McKinley again at 16:15, miraculously drew Osoyoos even, tying the game 5-5.
The momentum carried into three-on-three overtime, which saw Jarrod Gale pot the winner from in tight to complete one of the most memorable rallies in team history.
Carter Yarish had three assists. Hunter Harwood and Zach Leslie each added a pair of helpers.
Starter Kenny Gerow was pulled after allowing three goals on nine shots in just over 15 minutes. Rhett Harkot took over, allowing two goals on 17 shots to earn the victory in relief.
The Coyotes outshot the Leafs 39-26, including 13-2 in the third and 4-1 in overtime.
Osoyoos was full credit for the win, controlling the majority of the game and able to overcome a bit of early shaky netminding.
Five of the six victories during the current streak have come on the road.
What a way to go into the Christmas break for the (17-7-3-0) Coyotes, who next host the Bill Ohlhausen Division leading Princeton Posse on Friday, December 30th at 7:35 pm.
