Cents Game Day – Merritt vs Vernon – December 30/22
graphic - Jared Thomas/Q101
Dec 30, 2022 | 4:39 AM
Vern Strecheniuk
Date – Friday, December 30, 2022
Game Time – Puck drop 7:00 pm, Pregame show 6:45 pm
Location – Kal Tire Place, Vernon BC
Broadcast – CKMQ-FM Q101 & BCHLTV
Merritt Centennials – 8-17-3-1
Vernon Vipers – 13-12-0-4
Previous meetings;
The Merritt Centennials and the Vernon Vipers have played each other twice this season and have split the games, with both teams winning at home.
October 30 VS Vernon: 2-1
November 12 @ Vernon: 4-2
Recent history has not been in the Centennials favour. Last year, the Vipers won all five meetings. Over the past five seasons, the Cents have five wins in 19 games.
Blue Paint Battle;
Johnny Hicks has made 18 appearances this season logging over 1,000 minutes of hockey, 1,043 to be exact. Hicks has put up a 6-5-3-1 record with a 0.917 SV% and a 3.33 GAA. Back-up Connor Sullivan has a 1-5 record in six games with a 0.841 SV% and a 5.77 GAA.
The goalie duties have been split almost equally this season for the Vipers. Roan Clarke has the slight advantage in playing time, making 16 appearances with a 7-7 record. In those games, Clarke has a 0.907 SV% and a 2.96 GAA. Just behind him is Ethan David with a 6-5 record in 14 appearances. David has a 0.906 SV% and a 3.05 GAA.
Special Teams Comparison;
Cents – PP 18.5% (20/108) *14th best in the league PK 80.7% (109/135) *6th best in the league
Vipers – PP 21.4% (22/103) *7th best in the league PK 86.2% (106/123) *1st best in the league
Players to Watch;
Heading into the second half of the season, one of the hardest workers game in and game out, Mark Thurston, will look to build onto his point total. During the first two games against the Vipers, Thurston is averaging a point a game (1G,1A). On the season so far, he has five points (2G,3A).
The player or players to watch in this matchup is whoever starts in net for the Vipers. During the two-game split between these two teams, David got the win and Clarke took the loss. One will be looking to stay perfect against the Centennials and one will look for a bounce back.
Comments