Rookie Dylan McCann got the Knights off to a strong start with a shot that beat Fish goalie Kurt Russell five-hole just 80 seconds into the game.
The Sockeyes needed a win to force a tie with North Van for the league lead in points, although the Wolf Pack have two games in hand.
After Colin Catchpole put Langley up by two, Troy Kaczynski finished off a 2-on-1 with Tyler Paterson to put the Sockeyes on the board before the period ended.
Russell made his two best saves early in the second period when he followed up a solid kick save with a flashy glove save while sliding to his left. He could only hold off the Knights for so long as goals from Jackson Surbey and Levi De Waal gave Langley a commanding three-goal lead. That spelled the end of Russell's night. He was replaced by Nathan Alalouf a few minutes before the 2nd period expired.
The Sockeyes awoke in the 3rd period, as early goals from Tyler Paterson and Kaczynski put Richmond within a goal.
Alalouf stopped all 11 shots he faced in regulation, his finest coming late in the third when he lunged to his left to deny the Knights on a cross-crease chance. That save proved to be key as Daniel Oakley tapped in a beautiful pass from CJ Young to tie the game with just over two minutes to play.
Alalouf was the star in the first overtime, making seven saves, including a remarkable desperation save on what looked like a sure goal for the Knights.
In the 3-on-3 second overtime, Kaczynski was high-sticked on a breakaway, and was awarded a penalty shot. With two goals on the night already, Kaczynski deked to his right before sliding the puck through the wickets of Nicholas Trenciansky to complete both the comeback and the hat-trick.
Sockeyes started out slow, but finished off strong, winning this thriller of a game.
Final score: Sockeyes: 5 Knights: 4 (OT)
- Bailey Meadows
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