TALKING CENTS: Merritt opens KIJHL preseason with a win and two losses.

A new era for the Merritt Centennials began on Thursday night as the newly created franchise opened its preseason in the Kootenay International Junior A Hockey League (KIJHL) with three games in three nights versus two of the best team in the league in 2023-24; the Kamloops Storm and the Princeton Posse.

On Thursday night, Centennials hosted the Kamloops Storm at the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena (NVMA)  in what is being called by many as a possible rivalry because of the proximity of the two franchises.

The experienced Storm prevailed with a 6-3 victory after the Centennials ran into penalty problems in the third period giving up two consecutive five-on-three advantages for Kamloops in which they took advantage scoring back to back powerplay goals to secure the win. Scoring for the Centennials was Rhett Serfas, Ethan Nesimuk and Joel Schmidt.

On Friday night, the Cents travelled to Princeton to face the Posse, the defending Bill Ohlhausen Division champion looking for a better outcome. After a disappointing first period which saw the Cents fall behind 3-0, the Cents got some breaks in the second period to rally for a 5-4 overtime win thanks to Rhett Serfacs second goal of the pre-season in extra time. Joel Schmidt chipped in with his second of the exhibition schedule with Aiden Ma, Emmitt Guest and Brodie Davis notching their first of the preseason. Merritt born Jalen McRae had a goal and an assist for the Posse.

The Cents wrapped up the  weekend on Saturday night with a return engagement with the Kamloops Storm at the NVMA. As fatigue began to set in from the three games in three nights, undisciplined penalties lead to the Cents on the wrong end of a 6-1 route on Saturday night. Jacob Bishop had the lone goal for the Cents in the first period.

The 1-2-0 Cents continue their exhibition season on Tuesday night when the Kelowna Chiefs make their first visit to Merritt to tangle with the Centennials then Thursday night, the Princeton Posse travel to the NVMA for a 7 p.m. tilt.