Comeback falls short in 5-2 loss in Penticton

The Merritt Centennials were looking to make it two in a row for the first time this season on Friday night in Penticton.

The Vees would control the early pressure in period number one, working an early powerplay and firing on at will. Jackson Baker making the spot start for the injured John Hicks would play well, turning aside a number of quality shots.

Penticton would strike first at the 13:23 mark with the Russian Import Adam Eisele scoring his 4^th of the season. A few minutes later, Josh Nadeau would net his 34^th of the season to extend the lead to 2-0.

Baker stopping 15/17 in the first.

The Nadeau brothers would strike again to start the middle stanza with Bradley finding Josh for his second of the night to make it 3-0.

The Cents would finally find a way past Carter Serhyenko at the 13:56 mark of the period. While killing a penalty, Ben Ward would strip the puck from Braden Doyle, he would go in all alone and beat the goalie glove side to cut the Vees lead to 2.

The Cents would finish the penalty kill and after 40 minutes trail 3-1.

Baker continued to show well stopping 35/38.

Exactly one minute into the third, Jackson Nieuwendyk would score his 8^th of the year to extend the lead to 4-1.

The Cents would respond with an Ashton Taylor tip play in front. The comeback effort would be halted there with Luc Wilson adding one more for Penticton, make the final 5-2.

Baker was spectacular making 54 saves in a losing effort.

Cents are back in action on Wednesday at home versus the same Vees team. Puck drop 7pm.