The playoffs are where heroes are made, and on Wednesday in Aldergrove, it was Pilots forward Jackson Waniek who earned that label.
With the game locked in a 3-3 tie in double overtime, Waniek scored on a penalty shot to win the game for the Pilots, giving them a 2-0 lead over the Aldergrove Kodiaks in the best-of-seven first round Pacific Junior Hockey League series.
The Pilots never led in the game, falling behind by a goal three different times, only to tie the game up each time.
Dryden Michaud and Waniek scored two goals apiece, while goalie Jacob Crawford stopped 28 saves.
The Pilots went two for nine on the power play, and killed off one of two shorthanded opportunities.
Game one on Tuesday in Abbotsford saw the Pilots’ special teams take centre stage.
Abbotsford scored three power play goals, en route to a 4-1 win to open the series. The Pilots also killed off all six penalties they were assessed.
Alexander Methorst, Erik Olson, Brady Morton and Devon Becker all tallied for Abbotsford. Crawford had a strong game in between the pipes, stopping 31 of 32 shots.
Game three occurs tonight (Friday) in Abbotsford at the MSA Arena. Face-off is set for 7:30 p.m. Game four is scheduled for Sunday in Aldergrove, and game five, if necessary, is set for Monday at 7 p.m. in Abbotsford.