As most people expected, the Terrace River Kings repeated as Central Interior Hockey League west division champions, but it would take them overtime to do it. 

Terrace has been the class of the CIHL over the last couple of years winning both the CIHL championship and Coy Cup last season. This season they went an impressive 16-2-0-0 to once again top the league going into the playoffs.

But the hard-charging Hazelton Wolverines were not going to take it lying down. The Wolverines won 13 games during the regular season, including nine of their last 10 racking up some crazy statistics down the home stretch. During that streak, in their last of three regular season games against each other, Hazelton handed Terrace one of its only two losses of the season, with a decisive 7-3 final.

While the Wolverines would drop the first game of the division series at home on Feb. 22, they were up to the task when the series moved to Terrace.

On March 1, Eli Zummack (2) and Joel Patsey combined for three goals in the second period in the River Kings' barn, which would be all they needed. Terrace mounted a comeback in the third period, but were only able to get two past the goal line.

The final game of the series, on March 2, would be one for the record books. Tied 1-1 after the first period and 3-3 after the second, the final frame was an exercise in defence as neither team was able to find the back of the net. 

Both squads pressed hard as the OT period began leading to a power play for the Wolverines. After clearing the puck into the Hazelton zone, Terrace's Carter Shannon managed to get control with a clear shot. That was saved, but Colin Bell was there swooping in on the left wing to scoop up the deflection and tuck it in the corner for the winner. 

Terrace will now face Quesnel in the CIHL championship series starting this weekend in Quesnel. Game 2 will be the following weekend in Terrace, with Game 3 to follow if necessary.

The winner of that series will win the league and qualify for the Coy Cup, BC Hockey's Senior Men's AA championship. 

The Coy Cup will be held in Prince Rupert this year from Feb. 25 - 29 featuring the CIHL winner, the host Rupert Rampage, the winner of the North Peace Hockey League (NHPL) and a qualifier from down south. 

The NHPL is currently conducting its divisional finals with Spirit River facing off against Manning and Dawson Creek battling Fahler.

This weekend the Rossland Warriors will be in Powell River to take on the Powell River Regals in a three-game qualifier.