GAME DAY: Vernon Vipers (27-18-1-0) at Merritt Centennials (19-23-3-1)

Vernon Vipers – (27-18-1-0) 

The Vipers have had the Centennials number this season but have fallen off in the second half of the season. After fighting for the top spot in the Interior Vernon is now in a dog fight for third place in the conference with Salmon Arm as they sit two points back. I’m sure the Vipers would love to play the Centennials after winning all four matchups this season. Vernon is beatable on the road however losing 8 of their last 12 games away from Kal Tire Place. They have been an up and down team with a recent 9-3 win in Cowichan but a shocking 9-1 home loss to the Cranbrook Bucks. We’ll see what Vipers squad shows up tonight.

Merritt Centennials – (19-23-3-1) 

The Cents are hot right now with 5 wins in their last 6 games. They rebounded nicely after seeing their winning streak halted in four games against Salmon Arm. In a 3-2 win over Prince George Luke Pfoh had a breakaway winning goal, Ray Hamlin had a shorthanded 5 hole snipe and Michael Felsing scored a highlight reel between the legs Tkachuk style goal. The Cents would love to get atleast one win over the Vipers in their fifth and final attempt in the regular season, it would bode well for the team with a possible first round matchup looming. 

Vipers vs Centennials | Zach Amin Photography

Previous Meetings;

The Cents have struggled to score on Vernon this year never scoring more than two goals in all four losses, they gave up four goals in every loss. Vernon is 4-0 over the Cents this season and have won 19 of the last 20 games between these two teams. With a game in Penticton tomorrow where the Vees are 19-2 Merritt is going to have to throw the stats out the window and give it their best shot. They have no other choice, the Vipers are beatable on the road, the team has improved, this has all the makings for a Cents win which would bode well going into tomorrow with some swagger.

Special Teams Comparison;

Cents PP:     31/153 (20.26%) (13th)    PK: 32/164 (80.49%) (4th)

Vipers PP: 36/151 (23.84%) (4th)   PK: 33/156 (78.85%) (8th)

Players to Watch:

For the Cents Brian Passmore put Jaxson Murray, Michael Felsing and Luke Pfoh back together in last Saturday’s win and it led to the tying and winning goal being scored.Luke Pfoh is a whole different player under Passmore as he has come into his own as an offensive threat in Merritt. After getting 14 points in 34 games in Cranbrook Pfoh has 13 points in 15 games as a Centennial.

In net both goalies are playing well with Ballantyne being named Central Scouting BCHL Goalie of the Month and Mezsargs getting 2nd star in last Saturday’s win.

For the Vipers Isaac Tremblay was named one of the BCHL’s Honourable Mentions for player of the week with 3 goals in two games played. Tremblay has been a sniper this season for Vernon with 22 goals in 44 games. He has 6 goals in his last 8 games, two of those were multi goal games.

Nicola Valley Memorial Arena | City of Merritt

Keys to Victory:

Key number 1 – Keep up the solid defense. Another solid defensive performance by Merritt saw them hold the opponent under two goals for the third time in their last four games. All this despite injuries on the defense. Fancy, Prokopetz, Wong, Gillard and Poulin have all held the fort in the meantime.

Key Number 2 –  Special Teams Mastery. The Vipers powerplay can make you pay at a 23 percent rate. Don’t take stupid undisciplined penalties and the Cents will give themself a chance to stay in the game. We’ve seen the Cents give up multiple 5 on 3’s lately, this is a team you don’t want to put on the powerplay too often.

Key number 3 – Show up on time. It would mean a lot for the Cents to score the first goal of the game against a team that has beaten them in all four games this season. Vernon is a tight defensive team and the siren might not be sounded as often tonight if the Vipers get an early lead. They like to outwait teams and play a patient brand of structured hockey. They do not like to cough up the puck as much as other teams.

NVMA