Cents Game Day – Merritt vs Wenatchee – February 3/23

Date – Friday, February 3, 2023

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

Location – Nicola Valley Memorial Arena, Merritt BC

Broadcast – CKMQ-FM Q101 & BCHLTV

Merritt Centennials – 10-23-3-2

Wenatchee Wild – 17-19-1-2

Previous meetings;

The Merritt Centennials and the Wenatchee Wild have only played against each other once this season so far, with the Wild holding the slight advantage.

November 4, @ Wenatchee: Cents lose 5-4 in OT

Over the past five seasons, the Centennials have won six of 18 games.

Blue Paint Battle;

Johnny Hicks has made 25 appearances this season logging over 1,400 minutes of hockey, 1,452 to be exact. Hicks has put up an 8-9-3 record with a 0.917 SV% and a 3.47 GAA. Back-up Connor Sullivan has a 1-8 record in ten games with a 0.875 SV% and a 5.26 GAA.

The Wild have a dead even 50/50 split in net. Both goalies have played in 22 games this season. Owen Millward has a slight minute’s advantage, going 9-8-1 with a 0.892 SV% and a 3.55 GAA. Andy Vlaha has an 8-11 record with slightly better advanced stats, putting up a 0.901 SV% and a 3.06 GAA.

Special Teams Comparison;

Cents – PP 18.7% (25/134) *13^th best in the league PK 81.2% (138/170) *6^th best in the league

Wild – PP 17.9% (27/151) *15^th best in the league PK 77.4% (96/124) *10^th best in the league

Players to Watch;

Ryan Spinale is playing his second career game against the Wild and the first game was one to remember. Spinale scored his first BCHL goal, assist and point all in the one game against Wenatchee. Throughout the rest of the season, the 18-year-old has put up nine points (5G,4A).

In eight games in January, Ean Somoza had eight points, finding the back of the net four times and adding in four helpers. On the season, Somoza leads the Wild in points scored with 50 (14G,36A). That scoring total is also good for fourth best in the league.