Cents Game Day – Merritt vs Salmon Arm – Jan 21/22

Date – Saturday, January 22, 2022

Game Time – Puck drop 7:00 pm

Location – Nicola Valley Memorial Arena, Merritt B.C.

Broadcast – Q101 & BCHLTV

Salmon Arm Silverbacks – 23-4-2-0

Merritt Centennials – 2-26-1-0

The Merritt Centennials are looking for a big bounce back effort tonight after a difficult 11-0 loss a night ago in Penticton as the Salmon Arm Silverbacks come to town.

A night ago, it was all Penticton in the first 20 minutes as the Vees came out like a team possessed after losing three in a row.

Casey McDonald would open the scoring just 2:21 into the contest, and Penticton wouldn’t stop scoring from there. Less than 2 minutes later, Brett Moravec would find the back of the net to extend the lead, and less than 40 seconds later Adam Eisele with his first of the year to make 3-0.

That would spell the end of the night for Jackson Baker, allowing 3 goals on 7 shots, and being pulled for the third game in a row. Peyton Trzaska would replace Baker but the Vees wouldn’t stop coming.

McDonald would score his second of the night at the 7:53 mark on the powerplay. Luc Wilson would net his first of two in the period on the powerplay with Stefano Bottini bulging the twine in between the Wilson markers. Vees leading 7-0 after 20 minutes, Cents with just five shots on goal in the frame.

The Vees would continue to pour it on in the middle stanza with Josh Nadeau scoring at the 10:17 mark. Mason Poolman would net his first in the BCHL five minutes later to make it 9-0.

Just before the end of the period Ben Ward would drop the gloves with Nadeau for the first Cents scrap of the year. Judges scoring the fight a split-decision in favour of Nadeau after he landed the takedown.

Penticton would add two more in the final period to win 11-0.

Trzaska stopped 48/56.

The Salmon Arm Silverbacks enter play tonight after a 4-3 OT loss a night ago to the Vernon Vipers. Salmon Arm continues to led the Interior Division with 48 points on the year. The ‘Backs are led by Simon Tassy with 50 points.

Previous meetings;

The Cents and ‘Backs have played each other three times so far this season with Salmon Arm coming out on top in all three matchups. Despite the loses Merritt has played Salmon Arm extremely well this season and seem to always be in the contest. Two of the loses have come by just 2 goals.

Blue Paint Battle;

The goaltending situation in Merritt has been fluid with Jackson Baker getting pulled in three straight games. Baker is 0-4 with a .770 SV% and a 11.66 GAA.

John Hicks has returned from injury and is now 0-4 with a .869 SV% and a 5.32 GAA.

Payton Trzaska has also now appeared in a pair of games in relief and is 0-0 with a .902 SV% and a 5.86 GAA.

Special Teams Comparison;

‘Backs – PP 30.2% (2/18) PK 83.8% (4/18)

Cents – PP 11.0% (18/18) PK 66.7% (18/18)