The Rocky Rams are heading to the second round of the playoffs, the Heritage Junior Hockey League’s North Division semifinals after defeating the Red Deer Vipers 3-2 in overtime Saturday night and taking the best of three series, two games to one.

In the first period it was the Rams firing 12 shots on Vipers goalie Josh Hilts, who was up for the challenge stopping all 12. Despite out shooting the Viper 12-4, it was the Vipers finding the back of the net first at 1:28 after a Lynden Robertson goal to make the game 1-0 Red Deer. Dawson Jones and Alex Litster earned the assists.

In the second period, the Rams fired six more shots at Josh Hilts, who once again stopped them all. Meanwhile, the Vipers also fired six shots at Rams goalie Zaiden Hansen who was up for the challenge, stopping all six as well. The Rams would also take a head contact penalty late in the second period but were able to kill off the penalty.

In the third period the Vipers would take a 2-0 lead at 12:27 after Andrew Wallace would get his sixth goal of the series. Silas Buijs earned the loan assist. However, the Rams would finally solve Vipers goalie Josh Hilts at 16:04 after Jake Smith scored on the powerplay. Grady Mofford and Nick Jervis earned the assists. Then with just 12 seconds left, it was Rams defenceman Grady Mofford tying the game 2-2. Tristan Hoffus and Kyle Humphrey earned the assists.

After the late third period goal from Mofford, this game was heading to overtime to decide who would move onto the next round of the playoffs.

The Rams would end up getting two shots on net in overtime, and that’s all they would need because a shot from Rams forward Reid Christiansen would sneak by the Vipers goalie. The Rams would pull of the comeback victory 3-2 in overtime and are now moving onto the second round to play the Sylvan Lake Wranglers.

Game one of the series Feb. 22, at the NexSource Arena in Sylvan Lake. Puck drop is at 8:00 p.m.