Returning to the lineup for the first time since Dec. 28, Devin Sutton scored two goals, including the overtime winner, as the Kelowna Chiefs defeated the Revelstoke Grizzlies 3-2 on Friday to clinch first place overall in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League.

Sutton’s OT goal at the Rutland Arena improved the Chiefs’ record to 43-2-1-2, three points better than the Kimberley Dynamiters, who also won in overtime last night, but like the Chiefs, have just one regular-season game remaining.

Photo Credit: Lorne White/KelownaNowDevin Sutton made an impactful return with a pair of goals in the Chiefs' win.The Chiefs close out the regular season tonight at the Rutland Arena against the Princeton Posse beginning at 7 p.m.

In what could be a preview of an Okanagan/Shuswap Conference final, Revelstoke (41-6-0-1) took a 1-0 lead with the lone goal of the first period on Friday, with Carter Anderson scoring his 22nd goal of the season.

The second period saw defenceman Dylan Kent spark the Chiefs with a shorthanded marker while the 19-year-old Sutton — who had missed 15 games with  an injury — put the hosts ahead with his 23rd goal in his 30th game of the season.

Photo Credit: Lorne White/KelownaNowDylan Kent's shorty sparked the Chiefs in the second period.Anderson notched his second of the game at 12:05 of the third period to send the game to an extra frame.

Braeden Mitchell handled 33 of 35 Revelstoke shots for his 26th win in 31 games while Liam McGarva took the loss in the Grizzlies’ net, giving  up the three goals on 37 Kelowna shots.

Photo Credit: Steve DunsmoorDevin Sutton scores winner against Revelstoke on Friday at the Rutland Arena.The KIJHL regular-season-champion Chiefs will begin playoff action on Tuesday when they play host to the Okanagan Division’s fourth-place Osoyoos Coyotes at the Rutland Arena beginning at 7 p.m.

The other Okanagan Division playoff opener will see the second-place Summerland Steam taking on the third-place Princeton Posse beginning on Tuesday (7:30 p.m.) in Summerland.

Photo Credit: Steve Dunsmoor