Andrew Ballantyne gets BCHL Honourable Mention for the Week

MERRITT — Merritt Centennials Goaltender Andrew Ballantyne was named an Honourable Mention in the BCHL’s Stars of the Week.

Ballantyne is playing his first season in the BCHL. He stopped 57 of 60 shots in a 2-1 loss in Penticton and 4-1 win in Alberni Valley, the two finalists in last year’s Fred Page Cup to earn the honours.

While his stats wern’t always there for him you had the feeling Ballantyne was going to turn things around, and he’s done exactly that.

Take a look at Ballantyne’s last four games. He has been on fire with a save percentage over .921 over that span against some of the toughest teams in the BCHL in Vernon, Penticton twice and Alberni Valley.

In his last four games he’s stopped 130 of 139 shots for a GAA of 2.25 and Sv % of .935 along that span. A sparkling set of stats to say the least.

Ballantyne has now posted a plus .921 save percentage in 5/10 games this season, half his starts.

He has often had to play the second of back-to-back games and has faced the defending champion Penticton Vees three times along that span which makes the stat even more impressive. He’s been thrown into the fire many times by Head Coach Brian Passmore and has excelled in many of those tough tests.

Ballantyne Warms Up | Madeline Baker

Ballantyne and the Centennials prepare to host the high flying Nanaimo Clippers tomorrow (December, 16th) in their final game before the Holiday break.

Nanaimo is the highest scoring team in the BCHL but will be playing their third road games in four nights while the Cents have practiced and rested all week.

Merritt has also gotten points in 5 of 6 games against Coastal teams this season going 3-1-2 over that span.

Ballantyne helping cleanup the Teddies | Merritt Centennials