GAME DAY: Merritt Centennials (19-23-4-1) at Penticton Vees (35-7-3-2)

Merritt Centennials  (19-23-4-1)

What a game last night. The Cents erased a 4-0 deficit nearly completing what would have been the comeback win of the season as the Vipers prevailed 5-4 in overtime. The Cents have only one regulation loss in their past seven games going 5-1-1 over that stretch. They finished their four game home stand 2-1-1 and will embark on a five game road trip now starting tonight in Penticton. The Cents then head to Prince George for two games, return to Penticton then end the road trip in Salmon Arm.

Penticton Vees (35-7-3-2)

The Vees are also firing on all cylinders. A five game winning streak and a sparkling 19-2 record at home at the South Okanagan Events Centre losing only to Salmon Arm and Chilliwack in Penticton. Last season they didn’t even lose a single home game. The Vees have been even stingier than usual on defense lately so expect goals to be hard to come by tonight. Will Ingaman set the BCHL record for consecutive shutouts with four straight and has a couple against the Cents this season. We’ll see if Merritt can muster up any offense against a team that has shut them out twice this year and limited the Cents to two goals or less in three other games.’

Cents Bench | Madeline Baker Photography

Previous Meetings;

Domination by the Vees. It’s still been five years since Merritt has a win over Penticton and this season has been no different. Despite icing a much more competitive team this year the Cents are 0-6 against Penticton with two games remaining in the series. In the only matchup of 2024 the Vees shutout Merritt 4-0 at the NVMA, they are the heavy favorites once again tonight but if Prince George and Cranbrook can beat Penticton the Cents have no excuses as to why they can’t as well.

Special Teams Comparison;

Cents PP:     31/157 (19.75%) (13th)    PK: 33/169 (80.47%) (5th)

Vees PP: 49/161 (30.43%) (1st)     PK: 28/132 (78.79%) (9th)

Players to Watch:

Luke Pfoh continues to put on a show after being reunited with Felsing and Murray. He nearly had his second consecutive game winning goal last night and has looked great in Red, White and Black. And he’s even a 2005 born with two more years left in the tank. Don’t be surprised if Pfoh becomes a player the franchise builds around. Also keep an eye on CT Larochelle who has two goals against the Vees this season.

For the Vees Billy Renfrew is coming in hot with 4 goals and 4 assists in his last 4 games and a hat trick to boot. 

Don’t forget Max Heise and Connor McPherson also have hat tricks against Merritt this season as well, so look for them to be offensive threats out there for the Vees.

Cents Win | Zach Amin Photography

Keys to Victory:

Key number 1 – Continue to play as well you have at the South Okanagan Events Centre. Merritt has been much more competitive in the series when playing in Penticton. 6-4 and 2-1 losses where Merritt was very much in either game.

Key Number 2 –  Special Teams Mastery. The Penticton Vees are 30 percent on the power play and 33 percent at home. Take six penalties and you’re risking giving up two goals by that average.

Key number 3 – Show up on time. It would mean a lot for the Cents to score the first goal of the game tonight. Penticton is not the kind of team you want to spot an easy early lead as they will completely shut down the neutral zone after taking the lead. The last two games the Centennials have failed to start out hot and they need to start setting the tone early in these road games.