Dylan Heppler scored in overtime as the Beaver Valley Nitehawks edged the Nelson Leafs 3-2 on Saturday in the regular-season finale for both teams.
Marty Ingram and Nicholas Wihak each scored for the Leafs (33-9-5), who were resting several players with first place in the division already clinched. Caiden Kreitz meanwhile stopped 31 shots in Nelson’s net.
Aiden Jenner also scored for the Nitehawks (27-15-5), and Owen Sikkes stopped 23 shots in Fruitvale.
Nelson opens the playoffs at home Friday against the Grand Forks Border Bruins, while the Nitehawks visit Castlegar for Game 1 against the Rebels on Friday.