Cents kick off new season with win, loss

The Merritt Centennials 1-1 following weekend action to open the 2025-26 KIJHL season.

On Friday, the Quesnel River Rush downed the Cents 5-2 at home to open the season. Lachlan Hanton and Steve Foster scored for the Cents.

However, the Cents offence began to click on Saturday night as Merritt downed Williams Lake 5-3.

Travis Langlois had a pair of goals and an assist for the Cents on Saturday. Marshall Wagner, Noah Lawless, and sniper Steve Foster scored his second of the season while Derrick Ford kicked away 46 of 49 shots he faced for his first KIJHL win with the Centennials.

Merritt now begins a three-game homestand, which opens Friday night at the NVMA when Castlegar visits the city. On Saturday night, the Kamloops Storm comes to town for a 7:00 p.m. contest.

Both games can be heard on Q101 with Jared Thomas.