Cents Game Day – Merritt vs West Kelowna – Feb 8/22

Date – Tuesday, February 8, 2022

Game Time – Puck drop 7:00 pm

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

Broadcast – Q101 & BCHLTV

West Kelowna Warriors – 23-13-1-0

Merritt Centennials – 2-32-1-1

The Merritt Centennials conclude their five-game home-stand tonight when they welcome the West Kelowna Warriors to the NVMA.

For the first time in recent memory the Merritt Centennials played to a scoreless opening period on Saturday night versus Prince George.

In the period, the Cents would manage to kill of three PG powerplays, while also failing to score on their lone chance with the extra man.

It would take until the mid-way point of the second for a goal to scored, with Nick Rheaume blasting one past John Hicks. Five minutes later PG would double their lead with Luc Laylin finding the back of the net.

The Cents would answer back in the dying seconds of the period, with Tristan Allen setting up Davide Patella for his 8^th of the year with just four seconds left on the clock.

In the third PG would execute on the powerplay to make it 3-1 courtesy of Rowan Miller. Luc Laylin would add one more to make the final 4-1 Spruce Kings.

Hicks would stop 39/43 in the losing effort.

Following the contest it was announced the forward Jackson Krill has been suspended three games for accumulating three hit to the head minors this season.

West Kelowna enters play winners of three of their last five outings. Over the weekend, the Warriors beat Price George 3-2 in a shootout and lost to Salmon Arm 2-1. Felix Trudeau continues to led the way offensively with 48 points (24G, 24A).

Previous meetings;

The Cents and Warriors have played four times so far this season with West K victorious is all meetings. There has been some lopsided scorelines including 7-1 and 8-2 in January, with both those games being played at the NVMA. Cents will play the Warriors twice the week with a return battle in West K set for Friday night.

Blue Paint Battle;

John Hicks has been playing well recently and is now 0-9-1 with a .883 SV% and a 5.43 GAA.

Jackson Baker played his best game as Cent on Friday night stopping 50/55 shots versus Penticton. Baker is 0-5 with a .842 SV% and a 8.32 GAA in limited minutes.

The Warriors are led by 20-yearold netminder Johnny Derrick who is 17-8-1 with a .899 SV% and 3.15 GAA. The backup is Justin Katz at 6-5, .911 SV% and 2.87 GAA.

Special Teams Comparison;

PG – PP 21.6% (10/18) PK 80.1% (9/18)

Cents – PP 9.7% (18/18) PK 66.3% (18/18)