Cents Game Day – Merritt at Prince George – Oct. 16/21

Date – Saturday, October 16, 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 – 2-1-0 

Merritt Centennials – 0-3-0

 

The Cents are hoping the third time in the charm versus Prince George this evening as they’ve dropped two games to the Spruce Kings already this season.

The Merritt Centennials found some powerplay success on Friday night, but still fell to the Spruce Kings 6-3 in Prince George.

The contest didn’t start well for Merritt who were outshot 20-9 in the opening frame, and outscored 2-0. Just before the 10-minute mark of the game, Austin Fraser worked his way to the slot of a faceoff win and sniped past Bradyen Melynk to open the scoring. A powerplay marker from Rowan Miller made it 2-0 after 20.

The second started with a bang for the Cents as Talon Zakall bulged the twine with the extra-man, assists coming from Jerzy Orchard, and Walker Erickson.

PG would add two more in the second from Nick Rheaume and Ty Gagno to lead 4-1 heading to the third.

In the third, Merritt attempted to blaze the comeback trail, with both Jerzy Orchard and Henry Smith scoring on the powerplay which finished 3/7 on the night, to make it 4-3.

Unfortunately that’s as close as they would come as PG would add two more, making the final 6-3.

Melynk would stop 38/44 in the contest.

Previous meetings;

Recent history hasn’t been kind to the Merritt Centennials in their meetings versus Prince George. The Spruce Kings have won 13 of the last 14 contests between the two sides including a 6-3 win last night.

Blue Paint Battle;

Brayden Melynk was called upon last night 44 times, stopping 38 shots in the game. He is still posting a very respectable .905 SV% and a 4.93 GAA

John Hicks has only seen two periods of action and as a result has inflated numbers of 9.00 GAA and a .760 SV%.

Aaron Trotter is the only goalie to start thus far for PG, posting a 3.01 GAA and a .885 SV%. Should Trotter receive the night off, Jordan Farlie would make his season debut.

Special Teams Comparison;

PG – PP 42.9%  (1/18)        PK 72.7% (11/18)

Cents – PP 20% (11/18)    PK 66.7% (15/18)