GAME DAY: Cranbrook Bucks (20-29-3-0) at Merritt Centennials (20-26-5-1)

Merritt Centennials — (20-26-5-1)

The Centennials are looking to end a 3 game slide after a five game road trip where they only came away with one victory. All four bus rides home were after losses with the win coming in Prince George, the night they stayed overnight. This is a game you cannot lose and put all the pressure on Saturday’s game. A win means the Cranbrook Bucks won’t be able to steal that 6th spot in the Interior back from Merritt as they will be five points back with one game left.

Cranbrook Bucks — (20-29-3-0)

The Bucks believe they can still play spoiler. They didn’t get the job done against other teams so they’re going to have to do it tonight. The Bucks are almost a .500 team on the road and have proven troublesome for home teams this season. With a win they will be one point back of Merritt heading to Salmon Arm tomorrow. If they lose tomorrow it won’t matter anyway though. Tomorrow’s result will likely affect what kind of line up Passmore ices Saturday unless of course the Cents come out with the victory tonight and earn a break heading into the playoffs. 

Previous Meetings;

Way back in September Zach Losier was the hero in a two game sweep in Cranbrook as nobody can forget his hat trick overtime performance. He’s back in the line up and saw some time playing with Felsing and Murray in the past. 

Since then the Cents had a 5-4 victory over the Bucks where they almost let a 5-1 lead slip away at the NVMA. The Bucks won the most recent matchup 3-1 in Cranbrook. 

They won’t be able to win the season series even with a win against Merritt as they trail 3-1. The Bucks need wins tonight and in Salmon Arm and hope the Cents lose in regulation to the Prince George Spruce Kings this Saturday as well.

Special Teams Comparison;

Cents PP:   36/174 (20.69%) (11th) PK: 37/185 (80%) (7th)

Bucks PP: 28/155 (18.06%) (15th) PK: 35/170 (79.41%) (8th)

Players to Watch:

Don’t look now, but veteran CT Larochelle is on an 8 game point streak. He was on hat trick watch in Salmon Arm against the Silverbacks. He’s also on a 3 game goal scoring streak scoring 4 goals during that span. If he keeps it up he might get some recognition as one of the players of the week.  

For the Cranbrook Bucks Patrick Murphy is coming into his own. Over his past 7 games he has 4 goals and 5 assists 9 points along that span. It all started with a 4 point night, a 1 goal and 3 assists night in Vernon when the Bucks crushed Vernon 9-1 during their family day game. He also had a 2 goal 3 point night in Trail. 

Nicola Valley Memorial Arena | City of Merritt

Keys to the Game:

Key number 1 – Commitment to defense. After a stretch where the Cents were playing their best defense of the season they have plummeted in that category. They’ve given up 16 goals in their last three games at an average of 4 per game and haven’t given up less than three goals against since a 3-2 win over Prince George, three games ago. 

Key Number 2 –  Keep the shots to the outside. That means the forwards have to drop back around the slot area instead of waiting for the pass. There were goals that went in the last game where three players watched as Silverbacks were left alone in front of the net. The 2 on 1s and breakaway chances are becoming frequent as well. The Cents need to box out the opponent better.

Key number 3 – Believe in themselves. They have a chance to go into the playoffs with a winning feeling, they have proven capable this season that they can win at the NVMA. They need these wins before the playoffs to avoid backing into the postseason on a losing streak.