Cents Game Day – Merritt vs Salmon Arm – January 13/23

Date – Friday, January 13, 2023

Game Time – Puck drop 7:00 pm, Pregame show 6:45 pm

Location – Shaw Centre, Salmon Arm BC

Broadcast – CKMQ-FM Q101 & BCHLTV

Merritt Centennials – 9-21-3-1

Salmon Arm Silverbacks – 16-13-3-1

Previous meetings;

The Merritt Centennials and the Salmon Arm Silverbacks have played each other twice this season and have split the games, with the Cents win coming in OT.

November 27, VS Salmon Arm: Cents win 4-3 OT

December 31, VS Salmon Arm: Cents lose 5-1

Over the past five seasons, the Centennials have won eight of 21.

Blue Paint Battle;

Johnny Hicks has made 21 appearances this season logging over 1,200 minutes of hockey, 1,222 to be exact. Hicks has put up a 7-6-3-1 record with a 0.919 SV% and a 3.29 GAA. Back-up Connor Sullivan has a 1-8 record in nine games with a 0.869 SV% and a 5.49 GAA.

With 26 appearances this season, Matthew Tovell has dominated the playing time. In those 26 games, Tovell has a 12-11-2 record while putting up a 0.919 SV% and a 2.87 GAA. Back-up Carter Richardson has played well in his limited outings. Playing in 11 games, having a 4-2-1 record with a 0.898 SV% and a 2.99 GAA.

Special Teams Comparison;

Cents – PP 17.7% (22/124) *15^th best in the league PK 81.4% (127/156) *6^th best in the league

Silverbacks – PP 16.8% (18/107) *16^th best in the league PK 75.6% (96/127) *14^th best in the league

Players to Watch;

After the trade deadline and the Centennials moving Davide Patella, Walker Erickson, and Tristan Allen, their captaincy group is almost all gone. Christian Lowe is the last remaining member of the captaincy group heading into this game against the Silverbacks. As an assistant throughout the season, Lowe will be looked upon to continue with his role and help this team succeed.

Throughout the first two matchups between these teams, Isaac Lambert has three points (2G,1A). On the season overall, Lambert is fourth on the team in scoring with 25 points (9G,16A). Salmon Arm will be looking to their top scorers to continue playing well and Lambert is among the top on the team, having points in the last two games in well.