The Richmond Renegades lost to the Knoxville Ice Bears last night but clinched a berth in the Southern Professsional Hockey League playoffs.

In a game that began one hour late because the referee was late, the Renegades picked up one point when the Ice Bears won 3-2 in overtime before 4,577 at the Coliseum.

That point was enough to give Richmond (25-20-3) one of six playoff spots in the seven-team league.

Matt Pierce's goal 2:06 into the extra session sent the Renegades to their first OT loss of the season after three wins.

Richmond gained one point on third-place Fayetteville (23-18-8), which lost to Twin City, but remains in fourth place. The Renegades need to finish ahead of the FireAntz to have home ice in the playoffs.

Knoxville assumed a 2-1 edge midway through the final period on a goal by Corey Rutt, who appeared to get a piece of a shot by Brett Smith and deflect it past goaltender Ryan Senft and into the net.

The Renegades drew even a little over seven minutes later when Trevor Karasiewicz struck during a power play.

With former Renegade Ben Manny off for interference, Karasiewicz gathered a pass from Dan Vandermeer and fired a rising shot from the team logo that zipped past a screened goalie Kirk Irving at 16:12.

Donald Melnyk almost won it in regulation for Richmond but his rebound goal came just after the horn sounded.

SLOW START: Most likely due to the delayed faceoff, both teams came out lethargically. It took about four minutes for either squad to get off a shot on goal.

Richmond had two excellent short-handed chances during a Knoxville power play, but Melnyk missed the net both times.

With 2:40 left in the opening period, the Renegades took a 1-0 advantage on Andre Gill's team-leading 31st goal of the season.

Gill swiped a pass in Richmond's end and gave the puck to Jason Price, who skated down the ice and gave it back to the right winger. Gill whipped a wrist shot past starting goaltender Jordan Ramstead from the hashmarks.

TIED AFTER TWO: Knoxville scored the equalizer with 6:49 to go in the second on a nice feed from former Renegade J.J. Wrobel to Mike Carter.

With Carter breaking hard to the net on the right wing, Wrobel sent a cross-ice pass down low, where Carter one-timed the puck past Senft, who didn't have a chance.

HOME AWAY FROM HOME: Wrobel returned to the Coliseum for the first time as a member of the opposition, and the veteran centerman had one assist against his old teammates.

Richmond released Wrobel on Feb. 25, and the Ice Bears signed him the following week to a five-game tryout. This was his second game in a Knoxville uniform.

Wrobel led the Renegades in scoring last season, but his production had fallen off considerably this year.

PLAYOFF OPENER: Allan B. Harvie Jr., president and general manager of the Renegades, announced last night that Richmond's first home playoff game will be on March 29 at 7:35 p.m.

Playoff ticket packages are on sale at the Renegades office or by calling 804-644-7825.

DELAY OF GAME: Referee Stephen Meyer and linesman William Lyons were 40 minutes late arriving because they were stuck in traffic. Rather than starting at the usual 7:35, the opening faceoff was 8:34.

ON DECK: The Renegades go to Winston-Salem, N.C., tonight (7:30) to play Twin City. Richmond returns to the Coliseum on Wednesday to meet Fayetteville in a 7:35 p.m. faceoff.

Knoxville ------------------------- 0 1 1 1 -- 3
Richmond ------------------------- 1 0 1 0 -- 2

First period -- 1, Richmond, Gill 31 (Price, Karasiewicz), 17:20. Penalties -- Karasiewicz, Rich (hooking), 6:48; Swider, Knox (high-sticking), 19:15.

Second period -- 2, Knoxville, Carter 15 (Wrobel), 13:11. Penalties -- None.

Third period -- 3, Knoxville, Rutt 11 (Smith, Cherneski), 9:04. 4, Richmond, Karasiewicz 10 (Vandermeer, Joy), 16:12 (pp). Penalties -- Manny, Knox (interference), 14:39.

Overtime -- 5, Pierce 21 (Craigen, Smith), 2:06. Penalties -- None.

Shots on goal -- Knoxville 9-11-6-2-28; Richmond 6-10-14-0--30. Power-play opportunities -- Knoxville 0 of 1, Richmond 1 of 2. Goalies -- Knoxville: Ramstead (6 shots-5 saves), Irving, 0:00 of 2nd 18-8-3 (24-23); Richmond: Senft 16-12-1 (28-25). Referee: Stephen Meyer. A -- 4,577.