Cents can’t complete comeback in 6-3 loss

The Cents would take advantage of an early powerplay opportunity on Friday night, with Zeth Kindrachuk off for tripping, goaltender Evan Gartner would fire into the crowd, putting Merritt up 5-on-3. A Geoff Bjarnason shot from the point would result in a juicy rebound for Ben Ward who made no mistake to put Merritt up 1-0. Ward making an immediate impact in his return from suspension.

Jackson Baker would stand call in the Merritt crease stopping all 14 shots he faced in the opening frame.

The Bucks would finally solve Baker in the early second period with Brendan Rogers funding a cutting Jarrod Smith who fired past the cents netminder to level the score.

Merritt would respond with yet another rebound goal on the powerplay. This time it was a Liam Davidson point shot and Davide Patella cleaning up the garbage to restore the lead.

Late in the frame Cranbrook would find two quick markers to take a 3-2 lead into the room. Tyson Dyck and Luke Pfoh the goal scorers.

The Cents would again level the score in the third with Connor Farren sniping blocker side to make it 3-3.

From that point on Cranbrook would start to pour on the offense, netting two more past Baker plus an empty netter to seal the deal and win 6-3.

Cents are back in action Saturday in Trail to face the Smokies, puck drop 7pm.