Centennials end home stand with a chippy win over Prince George

Friday: Vipers 4 at Centennials 2

Friday was NVIT night at the NVMA and the Cents wore their specialty third jerseys this night, and boy were they sharp looking.

The Centennials hosted the Vernon Vipers who were trying to go 4-0-0-0 against Merritt this season. While the Vipers never outshot the Cents in three games prior, this game was a different story. Vernon dominated the shot clock all night long, outshooting the Cents 15-8 in the first as Luke Bibby broke in shorthanded to open the scoring. The goal came on a four minute powerplay that yielded nothing but a goal against. The second was Merritt’s best period with Jaxson Murray and Dylan Lariviere giving the home side a 2-1 lead. Vernon would tie the game with about a minute left in the second period.

In the third the Vipers would constrict the Centennials outshooting them 11-2 scoring with about ten minutes left then adding an empty netter. They would ultimately outshoot the Cents 39-21 on the night.

Vipers vs Centennials | Zach Amin Photography

Saturday: Spruce Kings 3 at Centennials 4

This time the Cents came out flying with an 8-0 shot advantage seven minutes into the game. Sawyer Prokopetz would crash the net for his first goal in the BCHL. Merritt would take a 1-0 lead heading into the second. Prince George would tie the game at 1-1 as Linden Makow scored his sixth of the season, but the floodgates would open soon after.

Dylan Lariviere would give the Cents a 2-1 lead with his 6th goal in 6 games, Jaxson Murray would one time a highlight reel pass from Michael Felsing for a 3-1 lead and Nathan Taylor would snipe home his fifth to give Merritt a 4-1 advantage.

Despite playing three games in four nights Prince George emptied the tank in the third cutting the lead to 4-3 but that was all she wrote.

The Centennials play next Friday in West Kelowna then head home Saturday for a home game against the Trail Smoke Eaters.

Spruce Kings vs Centennials | Zach Amin Photography