Centennials head into Christmas break losing back-to-back games

The Merritt Centennials were on the road for the final two games before the Christmas break and lost them both.

Friday December 16, Merritt Centennials @ Trail Smoke Eaters

The Trail Smoke Eaters came out ready to go to get this game started. Just over two minutes into the game, Trey Fechko collected the rebound and found the back of the net. Smoke Eaters defenseman, Ethan Warrener took a trip call at the 15:19 minute mark of the opening frame sending the Cents to the man advantage, but it would come back to bite them. A minute into the powerplay, Ethan Mann stripped the puck at center ice and scored on the break away shorthanded to give the Smokies a 2-0 lead. With two minutes left in the first period, Coleman Jenkins found the back of the net for his second of the season to cut the lead heading into the second period. Final after the first, 2-1.

The second period got started the same way as the first with a quick start and goal by the Smoke Eaters. Three and a half minutes in, Ethan Warrener scored his first goal of the season, making it a 3-1 game. Less than a minute later, the Smokies were not done. Rhett Hamilton didn’t want to be outdone by his teammate, by also scoring his first of the season, extending the lead to three. Once again, the Cents were not ready to roll over, making a end of the frame push. With four minutes left, Connor Farren scored his fifth of the season cutting the lead back down to two. With 1:13 left in the period, Christian Lowe tipped the puck in front of the net by the goalie to end the second period down by one. Final after the second, 4-3.

The third period was filled with penalties and rough play. Half-way through the period, a scrum and some dirty hits after the whistle resulted in Walker Erickson and Jackson Krill from the Cents getting a game misconduct along with Ethan Willoughby from the Smoke Eaters joining them. Less than a minute later, the comeback was partially complete for now, as Jaxson Murray scored his ninth of the season to tie up the game at four a piece. The Centennials were unable to fully complete the comeback as Fechko scored his second of the game, with five minutes left, to give the Smokies the lead back in this game. Final score, 5-4.

Trail native, Jacob Smith, had two assists for the Cents in his homecoming. Johnny Hicks was handed the loss, saving 39/44.

Saturday December 17, Merritt Centennials @ Cranbrook Bucks

The first period started off as a neutral zone battle as both teams were trying to feel out the flow of the game. At the 6:42 mark, Carter Schmidt took a tripping penalty, sending one of the leagues lower ranked powerplay on the ice, but they made no mistake. Cameron Kungle was able to find the puck during a scramble in front and burry the fourth rebound attempt to give the Cranbrook Bucks a 1-0 lead on the powerplay. Final after the first, 1-0.

Wasting no time in the second period, the Bucks came flying out to a 2-0 lead. A forced turnover in the defensive zone for the Merritt Centennials found the tape of Jaden Fodchuk set up in the slot, who rifled the shot, giving the Bucks a 2-0 just 17 seconds into the second period. The rest of the frame consisted of back and forth penalties until the final three minutes. Nick Peluso finished off a beautiful cycle play, back-door, to extend the lead to three. Final after the second, 3-0.

A whole different Centennials team came out in the third, controlling the play and dominating the Bucks in the final period. 11 minutes into the last frame, Coleman Jenkins collected the puck on the right circle and unleashed a perfectly placed wrist shot to start the comeback attempt for the Cents. Even though that is the only goal the Centennials were able to muster up in this game, they didn’t let up the pressure in the third, outshooting the Bucks 16-9, with plenty of scoring chances. The game was iced with a minute left by an empty net goal by Jarrod Smith. Final score, 4-1.

Connor Sullivan made 30/33 saves in the losing effort.

With the loss, the Centennials head into the Christmas break with a 8-17-3-1 record, placing them ninth in the Interior.

The next game is on the road against the Vernon Vipers on December 30.