Cents Game Day – Merritt vs West Kelowna – February 20/23

Date – Monday, February 20, 2023

Game Time – Puck drop 2:30 pm, Pregame show 2:15 pm

Location – Royal LePage Place, West Kelowna BC

Broadcast – CKMQ-FM Q101 & BCHLTV

Merritt Centennials – 11-26-3-2

West Kelowna Warriors – 21-16-2-1

Previous Meetings;

The Merritt Centennials and the West Kelowna Warriors have played each other three times already this season, with the Warriors holding the advantage.

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

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

January 25, @ West Kelowna: Cents lose 4-3 SO

Over the past five seasons, the Centennials have won seven in 23 games.

Blue Paint Battle;

Johnny Hicks has made 27 appearances this season logging over 1,500 minutes of hockey, 1,514 to be exact. Hicks has put up an 8-10-3 record with a 0.917 SV% and a 3.53 GAA. Back-up Connor Sullivan has a 2-10 record in 13 games with a 0.874 SV% and a 5.42 GAA. Merik Erickson has been added onto this roster. Through 21 games in the PIJHL this season, he has a 17-2 record with a .905 SV% and a 2.71 GAA.

Justin Katz has dominated most of the action in net so far this season, and rightfully so. In 24 games played, he has a 12-8-2 record with a 0.892 SV% and a 3.54 GAA. Back-up, Angelo Zol, has played well this season as well. He has put up a 5-4-1 record in 14 games with a 0.872 SV% and a 3.95 GAA.

Special Teams Comparison;

Cents – PP 18.9% (27/143) *14^th best in the league PK 79.5% (147/185) *7^th best in the league

Warriors – PP 23.8% (43/181) *2^nd best in the league PK 72.6% (119/164) *17^th best in the league

Players to Watch;

Connor Farren has been given more opportunities, with injuries right now, and is stepping up with some secondary scoring. Farren has gotten points in the last two games and sits fourth on the team with 15 points (5G,10A). During the three games between these two teams, Farren has two assists.

After scoring the shootout game winner last matchup between these two teams, Rylee Hlusiak will be feeling good coming into this game. Before scoring the shootout winner, he did not have any points against the Cents throughout the three games. On the season so far, Hlusiak has 34 points (12G,22A).