Cents Game Day – Merritt vs Wenatchee – February 25/23

Date – Saturday, February 25, 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 – 11-28-3-2

Wenatchee Wild – 22-21-1-2

Previous Meetings;

The Merritt Centennials and the Wenatchee Wild have played each other twice this season, both finishing gin one goal games in the Wilds favour.

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

February 3, VS Wenatchee: Cents lose 4-3

Over the past five seasons, the Centennials have won six in 19 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 2-12 record in 15 games with a 0.868 SV% and a 5.60 GAA.

The Wenatchee Wild have split the playing time fairly even this season. Holding the slight advantage is Andy Vlaha, who has played in 28 games, putting up a 12-12 record with a 0.897 SV% and a 3,20 GAA. Owen Milward has played in 24 games putting up a 10-9-1 record with a 0.890 SV% and a 3.55 GAA.

Special Teams Comparison;

Cents – PP 18.8% (28/149) *15^th best in the league PK 77.4% (151/195) *13^th best in the league

Wild – PP 20.8% (37/178) *8^th best in the league PK 78.6% (114/145) *9^th best in the league

Players to Watch;

Maddix McCagherty got his first career BCHL point in the BCHL in the last game out against the Wild. It came in the form of an assist on a Ryan Spinale goal. Since then, McCagherty has four points, all assists.

Throughout the two games played between these two teams, Jason Stefanek has been a thorn in the Centennials side. In the two games, Stefanek has three goals and two assists for five points. On the season so far, Stefanek has 21 points (8G,13A).