Centennials get outscored 16-3 and lose two games over the long weekend

The Merritt Centennials played two games over the long weekend and got heavily outscored.

The Cents welcomed in the Penticton Vees on Saturday (February 18) and then went on the road for a Family Day afternoon game against the West Kelowna Warriors on Monday (February 20).

Saturday, February 18: Merritt Centennials VS Penticton Vees

In the first period the Penticton Vees came out of the dressing room in waves of pressure. Eight minutes in, Owen Simpson took the puck near the side of the net and roofed it over the shoulder of Connor Sullivan. Four minutes later, Aydar Suniev increased the lead with his 29th goal of the season. Frank Djurasevic took a cross-checking penalty which sent the Centennials to the powerplay, but it was the Vees who took advantage. Bradley Nadeau was sprung on a shorthanded breakaway and scored his 33rd goal and first shorty of the season. Final after the first, 3-0.

The Centennials came into the second period looking to spur a comeback. Within the first seven minutes, Christian Lowe was set up in the slot and rifled home a one-timer from Jaxson Murray, cutting the lead back down to two. That’s how the scoring would stand until late in the period when Jackson Murphy-Johnson was sent to the box for holding, putting the leagues best powerplay on the attack. 1:11 into the man advantage, Aydar Suniev scored the powerplay goal for his second of the game. Not satisfied with a three goal lead, 30 seconds later, Billy Norcross was able to add another. To end  off the period, Christian Lowe got called for high-sticking. Final after the second, 5-1.

Not settling for a four goal lead, the Vees instantly made an impact in the third. Coming out of the intermission still on the powerplay, the Vees made it count again. Josh Nadeau this time was the  brother to find the back of the net just 30 seconds in. Half of the period went by before the Centennials got back on the board with Kyle Isenberg snapping a shot moving in from the blue line, bar-down past Hank Levy. It was Isenberg’s third goal of the season. With two minutes left in the game, down by four, Head Coach and GM Curtis Toneff boldly pulled the goalie, trying to spark some momentum to end the game. The idea back fired and Jackson Nieuwendyk found the empty net, sealing the lead at five. Final score, 7-2.

Connor Sullivan took the lose while making 36/42 saves.

Monday, February 20: Merritt Centennials @ West Kelowna Warriors

To start off the afternoon Family Day game, the offense for the West Kelowna was ready to put on a show for their families. Jackson Krill found himself in the penalty box to start off the game within the first minute. The leagues second best powerplay unit went to work, with Luke Devlin scoring on the opening man advantage. At the 4:16 mark, it was Jacob Smith’s turn to go to the sin bin for interference. The same results came about with Riley Sharun this time being the Warrior to score on the powerplay, giving West Kelowna an early 2-0 lead. Coming out of the BCHL media timeout, the Warriors still had their foot on the gas. Rylee Hlusiak snipped home his 13th of the season. A minute later, like a scoring tidal wave, Jaiden Moriello was able to grab the rebound and find the twine. That fourth goal was enough to chase Connor Sullivan from the net while finishing his game making 4/8 saves. Coming into play was ‘AP’ goalie, Merik Erickson, on the roster due to a Johnny Hicks injury. Kyle Isenberg got in on the penalty action, taking a roughing call, sending the so-far perfect powerplay of the Warriors back on the ice. They stayed perfect with Chris Duclair snagging his eighth goal of the season, pushing the lead to five. Off the ensuing faceoff, only nine seconds later, Connor Farren came down the ice with a two-on-one and elected to shoot it and found the bottom corner. Farren’s sixth goal and putting the Cents on the board. Final after the first, 5-1.

The second period started quicker for the Warriors, who were still in attack mode. 36 seconds into the middle frame, Sharun grabs his second goal of the game, making it a five goal lead once again. Still within the first two minutes of the period, Brennan Nelson got in on the goal scoring, finding the rebound into the open net. Erickson settled down for the rest of the frame, making a total of 13/15 saves in the second. Final after the second, 7-1.

The final frame was slower paced to start, unlike the previous two. it took until the 15:25 mark before the Warriors lit the lamp again. Luke Devlin scored his second of the game to widen the lead. Another quick goal for West Kelowna as Michael Salandra snuck back door after battling in front and slide one by the pads to make it an eight goal lead. The scoring would stop before it reached double digits. Final score, 9-1.

Sullivan was handed the lose in the game. Erickson in relief stopped 34/39.

The Centennials next have a busy weekend coming up, playing three games in three nights. Friday (February 24) travelling to take on the Salmon Arm Silverbacks. Returning home on Saturday (February 25) against the Wenatchee Wild. Back on the road Sunday (February 26) for a rematch against the West Kelowna Warriors.