Cents host Revelstoke tonight in KIJHL action

Just one game on the docket for the Merritt Centennials this weekend.

The Centennials will be looking to keep pace with the Kelowna Chiefs atop the KIJHL’s  Bill Ohlhausen division when they face the Revelstoke Grizzlies tonight at the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena (NVMA).

The Cents currently occupy second place in the division with twelve points thanks to a 6-3 record in their nine games this season. Division-leading Kelowna has 13 points in its seven games played.

Merritt is coming off a split last weekend, dropping a 4-2 decision to the Nelson Leafs on Friday night at the NVMA, then rebounded for a 4-3 win on the road in Osoyoos.

The Cents are 3-2 at the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena in the early stages of the season.

Last year, the Cents were 2-2-1 against the Grizzlies during the regular season before being eliminated by Revelstoke in five games in the first round of the playoffs.

Game time is 7 p.m. and Jared Thomas will have the action for you this evening (Friday) on Cents hockey on Q101 beginning at 645.

CENTS NOTES:

The Merritt Centennials have traded the playing rights of 2007-born forward Dylan Ruff to the Yorkton Terriers of the SJHL in return for future considerations.

Cent’s rookie forward Noah Lawless has taken over the team scoring lead. The 17-year-old has seven goals and four assists for 11 points in nine games this season, while linemate Steven Foster has ten points on the strength of seven goals and three helpers.

The Centennials’ special teams have struggled early this season. The Cents’ power play is 15th in the KIJHL with seven goals in 38 opportunities for 18.4% while their penalty kill has faltered, allowing a league high 15 goals in 57 short-handed chances for a 73.7  % which is 16th in the league.