GAME DAY: Merritt Centennials (6-8-1-1) at Vernon Vipers (11-4-0-0)

Merritt Centennials – (6-8-1-1)

This is an interesting matchup for the Centennials. For whatever reason they have matched up well against Vernon this season. Regardless, they were unable to win either game so far, a 4-2 and 4-1 loss. In both losses the Centennials outshot the Vipers by a wide margin early and then fizzled out late. In their last game Vernon was outshot 40-25 and still came out with the game winning goal to snap a tie in the third period. As they did in Vernon in the first matchup, snapping a tie game in the third period to win it. The Cents cannot let the Vipers break through late much like they did the last two games. 

Vernon Vipers (11-4-0-0)

Here’s a stat for you. Nobody has scored more goals than the Vernon Vipers. Half of the Vipers last six games have been absolute blowouts. They scorched Coquitlam 8-1 in Seattle, destroyed the Bucks 10-2 and wrecked the Spruce Kings 8-0 both of those games at the Snake Pit in Vernon. 

It has not been pretty for visitors of the Snake Pit the last two games. Merritt has to be careful against the most deadly offense in the BCHL tonight. 

Previous Meetings;

This team much like Penticton has historically dominated Merritt over the past five years. 

The Vipers have a 17 wins and 1 loss against the Centennials over the past half decade. The one win came at home last season during the Halloween game.

The streak of doom here is a 10 game losing streak in Vernon that spans all the way back to January of 2019 when the Cents escaped the Snake Pit with a 3-2 overtime victory. That win was almost five years ago.

Special Teams Comparison;

Cents –        10/52 (19.23%)    (10th)       PK 12/62 (80.65%) (6th)

Vipers–       17/55 (30.91%) (1st)         PK 8/50 (84%) (3rd)

Players to Watch;

Michael Felsing has been on fire all season long. Dylan Lariviere has come into his own as a Centennial, Dylan Wegner is a point per game player since joining the team. Ty Wishart and Jaxson Murray have also looked comfortable since joining the team in the last 5 games. 

It’s hard to say who to watch for the Vipers when everyone is firing on all cylinders. Luke Pakulak had a hat trick last game in Merritt so maybe him, but honestly all five players should be covering their man in a game like this. Vipers can score from any line or player.

Keys to Victory:

Key number 1 – Beat the big dogs. This is your time to make a statement. You’ve lost 2 of three against the big dogs of the Interior at home. You’re a team two games under .500. Win this game, and you’ve won two of four against the dragons of the interior. Make a statement.

Key Number 2 – DO NOT TAKE PENALTIES. This is the best powerplay in the BCHL. Every penalty taken will be magnified by that fact. Merritt took three penalties in the third period of the last game to basically hand the game over to the Vees.

Key number 3 – It’s been 10 games and five years. This is the team that won the first ever game for Merritt in Cranbrook, now the Cents have to start snapping some other streaks 

End the streak of doom, Slay the dragon, and make a statement by beating the Vernon Vipers at the Snake Pit.