Centennials grab one point in a Wednesday lose

The Merritt Centennials headed to West Kelowna to take on the Warriors for the first game back from the All-Star break.

In the first period, the Cents came out hot grabbing an early lead in a frame filled with penalties. After a four-on-four within the first five minutes of the game, the Cents grabbed a goal back full strength. Christian Lowe was sprung on a breakaway and shot it hard off the backboards, the puck floated back to the middle where Jaxson Murray following the play hard showed off his hand-eye and batted it out of the air for an early lead. The period ended with another four-on-four. Final after the first, 1-0.

The second period started hot for the Cents once again but then finished in the other direction. Ryan Spinale received a drop pass entering into the offensive zone in the first six minutes and rocketed it into the back of the net. Three minutes later, Jaiden Moriello was sent to the penalty box for high-sticking, putting the Centennials on the powerplay. Wasting no time, Carter Schmidt won the opening draw back to Spinale, who slid it over to Murray and into the back of the net it went, extending the lead to three just six seconds into the powerplay. Being up 3-0 halfway through the second, caused the Warriors to make a goalie change, and that decision seemed to turn the tide. Noah Laframboise snapped a wrist shot from the point that got through traffic and into the back of the net, getting the Warriors on the board. It was also Laframboise first goal in the BCHL. Coming out of the BCHL media timeout, Ben MacDonald planted himself in front of the net and tipped in a shot from the blue line, cutting the lead to one. With time winding down, the Warriors were not done. 57 seconds left, Kailus Green was able to get his stick on another shot sent on from distance, tying the game up. Final after the second, 3-3.

A back-and-forth third period was a quite one on the score sheet. Murray took a tripping penalty in the first seven seconds and Lowe sat for cross-checking late in the final frame. Centennials were able to kill off both and the game needed extra time. Final after the third, 3-3.

The three-on-three five minute overtime frame was as fast paced and exciting as always. Both teams had multiple opportunities to seal the deal but the two goaltenders stood on their heads, forcing this game to a shootout. Final over overtime, 3-3.

The Centennials had the first shot in shootout, sending out Spinale, who was unable to beat the goalie. MacDonald answered with a miss of his own for the Warriors. One of the Cents newcomers, Aidan Lindblad was tasked with the second shot but also couldn’t find the twine. The Warriors leading scoring, Moriello had an opportunity to apply the pressure to the Cents but couldn’t score either. The Centennials answered with by putting out their own leading scorer in Murray but he couldn’t slide the puck past the pads. With a chance to win the game, Rylee Hlusiak started out wide, and put a beautiful move on, finding the back of the net and ending the game in favour of the Warriors. Final score, 4-3.

Johnny Hicks made 38 of 41 saves in the shootout losing effort.

The Merritt Centennials return home on Friday (January 27) for their next game against the Salmon Arm Silverbacks.