Third period comeback, Rauser's OT winner lift VIU to road win over SFU

Vancouver Island University came all the way back from a three-goal third period deficit to pick up a big 5-4 overtime road win on Friday night in Burnaby over Simon Fraser University.

Mitch Ledyard and McKullen Astill had given the Clan a two goal lead after 20 minutes, while Mac Colasimone and Justin Lee provided a quick response in the second period after Ronnie Wilkie had put VIU on the board with a power play marker.

The comeback began early in the third with Seth Schmidt capitalizing for the Mariners with the man-advantage, and Garrett Dunlop cut the deficit to one when he scored midway through the frame. That set up Brett Witala to send the game to overtime when the reigning BCHL Rookie of the Year scored his fifth goal in six games with 5:57 remaining in regulation.

And it wouldn't take VIU long to grab the extra point as Gavin Rauser netted his third point of the night with the OT winner just 53 seconds into four-on-four play.

Jeremy Balyk picked up the win for the visitors, turning aside 27 shots on the night. Michael Lenko faced 32 shots in the loss, including 14 during VIU's three-goal third period.

Both teams are back in action on Saturday as the Mariners will visit TWU in Aldergrove at 2:00 PM while the Clan host Victoria at 7:00 PM.