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PIJHL playoff race tightens

Devils defeat Port Moody Panthers, lose in overtime to Wolf Pack
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Jacob Wensley (20) of the North Delta Devils had a four-point game against the Port Moody Black Panthers.

They took three of a possible four points, but the North Delta Devils still saw the playoff race tighten.

The Pacific International Junior Hockey League (PIJHL) team lost 5-4 in overtime to the North Vancouver Wolf Pack on the road Wednesday night, then hammered the Port Moody Black Panthers 7-1 Saturday night in Port Moody.

The split left the Devils in third place in the Tom Shaw Conference, just one point up on both the Wolf Pack and the Grandview Steelers.

Wednesday’s see-saw battle saw four lead changes, with the Wolf Pack getting the winner with just 11 seconds left in extra time. Matthew Tilton, Julius Ho, Christian Rodriguez and Stefan Burzan netted the North Delta goals.

The Devils scored five powerplay goals on 10 chances against the Black Panthers. Rodriguez and Adam Nishi tallied twice each for North Delta, with Colin Catchpole, Wensley and Burzan netting singles. Wensley also collected three assists.

The Devils visit the Richmond Sockeyes, losers of just one of 20 games this season, Thursday night before hosting the Harold Brittain Conference-leading Aldergrove Kodiaks Saturday night at the Sungod Arena. Face-off is at 6:45 p.m.