Cents Game Day – Merritt vs West Kelowna – January 25/23

Date – Wednesday, January 25, 2023

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

Location – Royal LePage Place, West Kelowna BC

Broadcast – CKMQ-FM Q101 & BCHLTV

Merritt Centennials – 10-22-3-1

West Kelowna Warriors – 20-10-4-0

Previous meetings;

The Merritt Centennials and the West Kelowna Warriors have played each other twice this season and the Cents have faired better each time but still have not found the win column.

November 5, VS West Kelowna: Cents lose 8-1

January 14, VS West Kelowna: Cents lose 6-4

Over the past five seasons, the Centennials have won seven of 22 games.

Blue Paint Battle;

Johnny Hicks has made 23 appearances this season logging over 1,300 minutes of hockey, 1,342 to be exact. Hicks has put up an 8-8-3-1 record with a 0.919 SV% and a 3.40 GAA. Back-up Connor Sullivan has a 1-8 record in nine games with a 0.869 SV% and a 5.49 GAA.

With 20 appearances this season, Justin Katz has most of the playing time this season. In those 20 games, Katz has a 12-5-2 record while putting up a 0.892 SV% and a 3.44 GAA. Back-up Angelo Zol has played well in his outings. Playing in 12 games, having a 5-3-1 record with a 0.883 SV% and a 3.47 GAA.

Special Teams Comparison;

Cents – PP 18.8% (24/128) *12^th best in the league PK 81.1% (133/164) *6^th best in the league

Warriors – PP 24.8% (35/141) *2^nd best in the league PK 73.8% (96/130) *17^th best in the league

Players to Watch;

There are four Centennials players that took place in All-Star weekend. Jackson Krill, Diego Johnson, Aleksey Chichkin, and Johnny Hicks all took part in the Top Prospects game. Hicks went on to play in the Alumni game, while Krill was the representative for the 3-on-3 All-Star tournament. All four guys will be looking to come out of the break, after representing the Centennials, with an added fire for the rest of the season.

Two Warriors were busy over the All-Star weekend. Justin Katz and Jaiden Moriello participated in numerous events at the festivities. Both played in the Top Prospects game, with Katz going to play in the Alumni game as well. For Moriello, he also played in the 3-on-3 All-Star tournament and showcased his skills in the Fastest skater competition.