GAME DAY: Penticton Vees (11-1-1-1) at Merritt Centennials (6-7-1-1)

Merritt Centennials – (6-7-1-1)

The Cents should be buzzing after a 6-4 win last night at the NVMA over the always dangerous West Kelowna Warriors. Today they will have their hands full with the back-to-back defending champion Penticton Vees. 

If the Cents play the way they did in the 2nd and 3rd period in Penticton in their last meeting, where they outshot the Vees in their own barn, then the Centennials will be on the right track. Head Coach Fred Harbinson said his team was “outworked by Merritt” in his post game comments, despite his team winning 5-3. 

Penticton Vees (11-1-1-1)

The Vees handled the bottom feeding Bucks easily last night in Penticton by the tune of 5-1. Penticton has a four year 27 game winning streak over Merritt that they’d be more than pleased to keep going tonight at the NVMA. The Vees average 4.35 goals per game, tied amongst the lead for most goals in the BCHL. They have 11 against the Cents in two games already. Look for Penticton to come out swinging, as they have taken two goal leads in the first period in both meetings so far.

Previous Meetings;

The first matchup of the season remains the Centennials worst showing to date. Which can be looked at as a good thing considering that was game two of 15 games. The Merritt crowd witnessed a 6-0 drubbing of the home side, the Cents would put up a paltry 12 shots on goal, gave out penalties like Halloween candy handing the Vees 8 powerplays and two 5 on 3s. 

The second matchup Luke Melnik gave the Cents an early lead before the Vees scored three unanswered goals to take a 3-1 lead into the 2nd period. Merritt stormed out to a 4-3 lead until the go ahead goal was disallowed. The Vees would pull away in the third snapping a 3-3 tie to pull away 5-3 in front of the home crowd. 

The Centennials outshot the Vees in the 2nd and 3rd period, something the team should use as proof they can hang with the big boys. And after sending West K packing with an L last night, the Centennials have proven they can hang with the dogs of the interior.

Special Teams Comparison;

Cents – 9/49 (18%) (11th) PK 11/58 (81%) (5th)

Vees–       14/49 (29%) (4th) PK 13/42 (69%) (17th)

Players to Watch;

Michael Felsing. This guys on fire. Goals in 6 of his last 8 games after going scoreless in his first 7. He also has 4 goals and 5 assists good for a whopping 9 points in 5 games. Safe to Felsing is feeling it. 

Connor MacPherson had a hat trick in the first meeting of the year and Max Heise had one in the second matchup. Look for those two to be confident heading into the third matchup between these two teams. 

Key number 1 – This is your time. That’s what Brian Passmore told us after last night’s win. Enough with West Kelowna enough with Penticton the time is “now” for the Merritt Centennials to make a statement win, slay the 27 game losing streak dragon so to speak, and send a message to the BCHL that this team is not the be disrespected or underestimated this season. 

Key Number 2 – Respect your opponent. This team has dominated the Centennials in the past and is still one of the class teams of the BCHL. They have an 8 game winning streak for a reason. Be ready this time in the first period. Don’t go down by two goals like they had in both meetings prior. 

Key number 3 – Believe in each other. You outplayed them in the last two periods in Penticton, the Centennials can hang with this team. Penticton has 5 win and 3 losses in 8 road games. They are not the best road team in the BCHL. 

End the streak of doom, Slay the dragon, and make a statement by beating the Penticton Vees.