The Delta Ice Hawks will need unsung heroes to emerge if they want to repeat as Pacific International Junior Hockey League champions and Brent Chreptyk has wasted little time stepping into the role.
The 18-year-old two-way forward scored the tying goal midway through the third period to send the Ice Hawks on their way to a 43 overtime victory over the North Vancouver Wolf Pack Tuesday to open the best-of-seven quarterfinal series.
Chereptyk, who was playing on an all-rookie-line with Spencer Schoen and Ladner's Mitch Walter, snapped a shot past Wolf Pack goalie Braden Krogfoss at the 8: 51 mark of the period. He came into the playoffs with three goals and 10 points in 36 regular season games.
Up until that point, it looked like the Krogfoss might just steal a victory for the underdog Wolf Pack who finished 16 points back of Delta in the league standings. Aaron Merrick then completed the comeback with his second of the night at the 4: 52 mark of overtime on an unassisted effort.
The series resumes Friday and Saturday in North Vancouver. The teams then return to the Ladner Leisure Centre on Sunday night at 8 p.m.
Secondary scoring will be critical to the Ice Hawks' playoff success and they came out in game one showing they are concerned about it. PIJHL scoring champion Mac Barden was taken off the top line and inserted with Kolten Grieve and Marc Letourneau.
Tanner Gattinger moved alongside Merrick and Anthony Brito who managed the other Delta goal.
The hope is the moves will provide a more balanced attack - something Delta had a year ago with graduates Spencer Traher, Cody Smith, Cody Fidgett and John Proctor being part of the impressive depth.
