Barry Wright/The Independent

The first round Northern Premier Hockey League playoff series between the Alvinston Killer Bees and Tilbury Bluebirds is now a best-of-three affair.

The Birds tied the series at two with a 4-3 double overtime victory at home Sunday.

Although there is some question as to the validity of the numbers, Matt Anthony is credited with making 97 stops in the Tilbury crease as Alvinston outshot the Bluebirds, 100-79, according to the game sheet.

Ethan Lamoureux and Jamie Schaafsma give the Killer Bees a 2-1 lead after a period before Tilbury struck twice to take a 3-2 advantage into the second intermission.

Sheldon Thompson’s shorthanded tally late in an Alvinston penalty was the equalizer with nine-and-a half minutes to play in the third period.

After a scoreless first overtime session, Tim Taggart scored at 8:42 of the fifth period to send the hometown fans home happy.

Kaden Fulcher took the loss with 75 stops.

Saturday in Alvinston, Grant Spence had a hat trick and Joseph Raaymakers made 33 saves as the Bees beat Tilbury, 7-2.

Brandon Couto scored twice for the winners with the others going to Jacob Chandler, who also had two assists, and Owen McGowan.

Game five is in Alvinston on Friday night with the sixth game set for Tilbury on Saturday.

Game time for both contests is 7:30.

If game seven is needed, it’ll be played in Alvinston on Tuesday, March 3.

The winner of the Bees-Bluebirds series will play Strathroy in the conference finals.

The Jets advanced with a four-game sweep over Stratford including a pair of wins last weekend.