It began with more fireworks but concluded with both teams sticking to hockey as the Delta Ice Hawks and Abbotsford Pilots renewed their PIJHL rivalry Tuesday night in Ladner.
The highly anticipated affair brought the teams together for the first time since last month's line brawl incident that resulted in a whopping 12 game misconducts. Seven Delta players were also suspended, along with coach Dave McLellan.
Defenceman Ryan Mana (nine games) and forward Brent Chreptyk (six) were still out of the line-up, while McLellan won't be back behind the bench until Jan. 26.
It didn't take long for tempers to flare again when Hawks rookie Mitch Walter was given a five minute major and a game misconduct for a check-to-the-head less than three minutes into the contest.
However, cooler heads prevailed the rest of the way with the Pilots spoiling a third period Delta comeback with a 3-2 victory in overtime.
Abbotsford's Christopher Vinette jumped on a turnover and set-up Luke Venema for the game winner 2: 47 into the extra session.
The Hawks had rallied with goals from Tanner Gattinger and Aaron Merrick to erase a 2-0 deficit after out shooting the visitors 39-29.
Delta travels to Grandview Sunday then returns home Tuesday to face Mission at 7: 30 p.m.
