CENTS ON FIRE! TOP KIJHL POWER RANKING AFTER THREE SIGNIFICANT WINS

The Cinderella story of the Merritt Centennials continued this past weekend with the team earning three dominant road wins over three of the top teams in the Neil Murdoch Division in the KIJHL.

The Centennials rolled into weekend play with games against the Nelson Leafs (Friday), Castlegar Rebels (Saturday) and in Grand Forks on Sunday afternoon posting thrilling victories in all three contests.

On Friday night, a three-goal third period led the Centennials to a 7-3 victory over the Nelson Leafs. Dylan Ruff’s second goal of the game and fourth of the season proved to be the winner as the Cents erased 2-1 and 3-2 deficits scoring five unanswered goals in the win. Ruff led the Centennials with four points ( 2 goals, 2 assists)  and Brayden Thurlow had three points. (1 goal, 2 assists).  Andrew Krakora made 25 saves improving his record to 7-2-0-2.

Twenty four hours later the Centennials exploded for six second period goals on route to a 6-2 drubbing of the host Castlegar Rebels.  Merritt’s much maligned power-play which started the weekend at 12.9 per cent and 19th in the KIJHL improved significantly this weekend now at 16.5 per cent after the Cents tallied three goals with the man advantage on Saturday.

Dylan Ruff was again the offensive leader against Castlegar with two goals and an assist giving him four goals and seven points in two games while Mathis Perron picked up his second win of the season stopping all 35 shots he faced.

The Cents saved their most thrilling game for the finale against the Grand Forks Border Bruins on Sunday afternoon as the high octane offense continued as the Cents notched six third-period goals to complete an 8-6 comeback victory over the Bruins in a game in which the Cents trailed at point 5-1.

Heading into the third period down 5-2, sniper Sam Giangualano had two goals and five points in the third period including the winner with 40 seconds remaining in regulation. Line mates Wyatt Ball collected four assists for the Cents while Steven Foster scored a pair (8,9) giving the line 11 points in the third period combined.

Troy Horn also scored a pair for the Centennials with Mathis Perron earning his second consecutive win with 17 saves in 29 minutes of action after relieving Andrew Krakora who gave up five goals on 26 shots midway through the second period.

The Centennials now occupy second place in the Bill Ohlhausen Division with a record of 10 wins-5 losses-2 overtime losses and one shootout loss in the 18 games they have played so far this season.

As a result of Merritt’s successful weekend, the Centennials top the KIJHL  power rankings for week eight of the season.

The Centennials have garnered a point in ten consecutive games, boast an 8-0-1-1 record over than period for a .900 power ranking. Division rivals the Princeton Posse sit second in the rankings this week after posting an 8-2-0-0 record for a .800 power ranking.

The Centennials next contest will be Friday night when the Fernie Ghostriders  visit the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena at 7 p.m.