Cents Game Day – Merritt at Prince George – Oct. 15/21

 Date – Friday, October 15, 2021

Game Time – Puck drop 7:00 pm, Pregame show 6:45 pm

Location – Rolling Mix Concrete Arena, Prince George BC

Broadcast – CKMQ-FM Q101 & BCHLTV

 

Prince George Spruce Kings – 1-1-0 

Merritt Centennials – 0-2-0 

 

The Merritt Centennials are on the road this weekend for back-to-back games in Prince George versus the Spruce Kings.

The Cents went 0-2 on opening weekend with an 8-1 loss to the very same PG squad on Friday, and a 3-1 defeat to Salmon Arm.

The Merritt Centennials couldn’t convert on six powerplay chances Saturday night and dropped a close affair to the Salmon Arm Silverbacks 3-1.

The first period stated out slow with both teams going through a feeling out period. The opening salvo was fired by the ‘Backs’ Noah Serdachny who wired one past Brayden Melynk on the powerplay. The game would remain 1-0 into the first intermission with SA ahead on the shot clock 13-6.

The second period would start with the Cents killing of 3 minutes of a double minor and gaining some momentum from the kill, but it would be Simon Tassy finding twine to increase the ‘Backs lead at 11:26. The Cents would finally find the scoreboard during a stretch of 4-on-4 play when Jacksenn Hungle and Jerzy Orchard broke into the zone 2-on-1, Hungle would drop for Orchard who was stopped on the first shot but wouldn’t be denied on the rebound. The game would head to the final frame 2-1 Salmon Arm.

The third period would see tempers quickly flare with both teams cutting ruts to the box, however neither team could take advantage of the extra-man. With just under 5 minutes left to play Aidan Lindblad would score his first in the BCHL just over the out-stretched pad on Melynk.

Melynk was a star in net for Merritt stopping 44/47 shots on the night, earning second star honours.

Following their win in Merritt on Friday night, the Spruce Kings travelled over the connector to play West Kelowna, dropping a 5-3 decision to the Warriors.  Neither team played during the week.

Previous meetings;

Recent history hasn’t been kind to the Merritt Centennials in their meetings versus Prince George. The Spruce Kings have won 12 of the last 13 contests between the two sides including a 8-1 win exactly a week ago in the season opener for both teams.

Blue Paint Battle;

While both Cents’ netminders are 0-1, Brayden Melynk and John Hicks have both shown the ability to battle and keep their team in the game.

Melynk has been the better statisticly of the two, posting a .934 sv% and a 3.90 GAA. Hicks who has only appeared in two periods of action has inflated numbers of .760 sv% and a 9.00 GAA. With back-to-back games this weekend, expect both goalies to see time in the crease.

Aaron Trotter was the only PG tendie to see action on opening weekend going 1-1. Trotter posted a .891 sv% and a 3.02 GAA. Should Trotter need a rest, Jordan Farlie is waiting in the wings.

Special Teams Comparison;

PG – PP 50%  (1/18)        PK 100% (1/18)

Cents – PP 0% (17/18)    PK 73.3% (12/18) 

Players to Watch;

Alex Ochitwa is still looking for his first point of the new season. The Prince George native has shown flashes of brilliance and will look to put it all together in his home town.

Killian McGregor-Bennett already has 5 points in just two games played. McGregor-Bennett had a three point night versus Merritt last weekend.