Vernon blows out Merritt 9-0

The Merritt Centennials were looking for a better start on Friday night after coming out flat versus Penticton earlier in the week.

The Cents would play stronger in the opening moments of the game, but once again it would be the visitors striking first. Tyler Chan would fire on from the top of the right dot and the puck would find a way past John Hicks.

Merritt would earn a chance to level the game with a powerplay, but a Jojo Tanaka-Campbell shorthanded marker would increase the Vernon lead to 2-0.

Low shot total after 20 with Vernon ahead on the shot clock 11-8.

The Snakes would continue to pull away in the middle stanza, finding the back of the net three more times. Jack Glenn, Luke Buss and Cade McNelly all bulged the twine to increase the lead to 5-0 after 40 minutes of play.

Just past the 12 minute mark of the period Geoff Bjarnason would give the fans something to cheer about as he would square up with Cade McNelly for a old fashioned heavy weight tilt at centre ice. Judges scoring the fight in favour of McNelly for landing the takedown however both combatants landed serious blows.

The goals would keep coming from Vernon with four more to make the final 9-0. Hicks would be replaced after the 7^th goal, Jackson Baker allowing 2 in relief.

Cents are right back in action on Saturday versus Salmon Arm from the Shaw Centre, puck drop 6pm.