The Delta Ice Hawks roared back from a 6-2 second period deficit to beat rival Richmond Sockeyes 8-7 in overtime Thursday night in Richmond.
Ryan Xu scored an unassisted goal at 2:18 of overtime to give Delta its biggest win of the season and in the process, take the lead in the Tunnel Cup season rivalry with still two more games remaining. The series opener ended in a 4-4 tie a week earlier in Ladner.
After Truman Chiu opened the scoring in the first period, Richmond scored three times to take a 3-1 lead into the first intermission.
Mitchell Lavoie cut the lead to 3-2 early in the second, only to see Richmond score three more to take a seemingly comfortable 6-2 lead.
But the Ice Hawks battled getting goals from Jihwan Kim in the second, and Bradley Fortin, Mark Epshtein, Chiu and Lavoie in the third.
Both teams went three for eight on the power play.
The win moves Delta within a point of Richmond for second place in the Tom Shaw Conference.
Delta is back in action Tuesday when they entertain White Rock. Puck drop is 7:35 p.m. at the Ladner Leisure Centre.
