GAME DAY: Cranbrook Bucks – (14-18-2-0) at Merritt Centennials – (11-16-3-1)

NVMA | Merritt Centennials
Merritt Centennials – (11-16-3-1)
The Cents are in desperate need of a win after dropping seven of their last nine games and risking falling into the 8th and final spot in the Interior Conference Standings. While the daunting task of playing in Salmon Arm and West Kelowna Saturday and Sunday looms, tonight’s home game against Cranbrook is a game they have to take if they wish to make any ground. Cranbrook rode a hot streak to the 6 spot in the Interior but has since fallen off a little bit. Merritt has made a handful of trades. We’ll see how the new line up looks tonight.
Cranbrook Bucks – (14-18-2-0)
After catching fire the Bucks have cooled off of late. With four losses in five games Cranbrook has scored just 3 goals in four of those losses and has been shutout twice. While their offense looked good in a 6-4 win in West Kelowna the Bucks have looked snake bitten offensively in every other game. Their latest loss coming against the lowly Langley Rivermen, this is a game the Cents cannot afford to lose, they need to catch up to Cranbrook in the standings and end their three game skid.
Previous Meetings;
The Cents swept the Cranbrook set by scores of 4-2 and 5-4 in overtime. Zach Losier was on fire in those games with a hat trick overtime winning goal that put him at the tops of the BCHL goal scoring ranks early in the season.
It was Merritt’s first ever win against Cranbrook, but that team was sputtering early and the Bucks have put together a good enough hot streak to steal the 6th place spot from Merritt. Since their hot streak 4 losses in 5 games, no excuses if Merritt starts the three in three with a loss tonight.
This could be considered the biggest game of the season for the Centennials.

NVMA | Centennials.ca
Special Teams Comparison;
Cents PP 23/104 (22.12%) (8th) PK 22/115 (80.87%) (7th)
Bucks PP 20/99 (20.2%) (10th) PK 22/106 (79.25%) (9th)
Players to Watch:
Michael Felsing and Jaxson Murray have both gone pointless in their last two games.
A rare statistic as both players will have to pick up their play if Brian Passmore’s squad is going to beat the boys in green tonight. Felsing is off to the All Star game after completing this weekend’s three in three. Both players are in their 20 year old season and this is their chance to end the season on a good note.
While Julian Frias didn’t notch a point last game he had a goal and assist against the West Kelowna Warriors, had a goal against Merritt early on and has had three multi point games since December 1st. On a team that struggles to score Frias may be the man the Bucks rely on to get the job done.

Centennials Bench | Connor Logan
Keys to the Game:
Key number 1 – Confidence. The Centennials should have the confidence they matchup well against the Bucks. They swept them in Cranbrook, the Bucks have lost four of five and are not scoring. Merritt was shutout last game but outranks Cranbrook in the goals for department. This is a team you should beat and need to beat.
Key Number 2 – Sound the Siren. The Cents have 3 or more goals in 5 of their last 6 games here at Nicola Valley Memorial Arena. This is the fans only chance to get a look at the beloved home side since before Christmas and they won’t get another chance to play here for another two weeks. Put on a show for the home side.
Key number 3 – Put the puck on net and good things will happen! Enough with the fancy plays. 4 shots in the second period and 4 shots in the third against West Kelowna isn’t going to cut it. The Cents have got to start putting more pucks on net and creating havoc around the opposing net.
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