Cents face division leaders in weekend KIJHL action

You could call it a litmus test for the Merritt Centennials this weekend as they get set to play back-to-back games against division leaders in KIJHL action.

Tonight, the Centennials (38-21-13- 2-2) entertain the Beaver Valley Nitehawks at the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena in the club’s first action on home ice in February. The Centennials opened February with a four-game road trip, which saw them go one and three.

The Nitehawks (38-29-9-0-0) are three points ahead of the Grand Forks Border Bruins (40-27-12-0-1) in the tight Neil Murdoch Division, while the Cents remain steadfast in fourth in the Bill Ohlhausen Division, six points back of Kelowna for third in the division. However, time is running out for the Centennials to make a move on the Chiefs in the division, with both teams having six games remaining in the regular season.

On Saturday, the Cents return to the Forum in Revelstoke to take on the Ohlhausen Division-leading Grizzlies (37-28-6-1-2 ), looking to exact revenge for a 4-3 shootout loss on Jan.31, which snapped the Cents’ eight-game winning streak.

The Grizzlies lead the Princeton Posse (39-27-9-0-3) by two points heading into weekend action, and Saturday night’s game could be a first-round playoff preview.

Including tonight’s game, the Cents will wrap up the season with four of their final six games at the NVMA:

• Feb. 13 Beaver Valley Nitehawks vs Merritt at NVMA at 7 p.m.  (HOME)
• Feb. 14 Merritt vs Revelstoke Grizzlies at Revelstoke Forum at 7 p.m. (AWAY)
• Feb. 20 Merritt vs Osoyoos Coyotes at Sun Bowl Arena at 7 p.m.  (AWAY)
• Feb. 21 Osoyoos Coyotes vs Merritt at NVMA at 7 p.m.   (HOME)
• Feb. 27 Kelowna Chiefs vs Merritt at NVMA at 7 p.m.   (HOME)
• Feb. 28 Quesnel River Rush vs Merritt at NVMA at 6 p.m.   (HOME)

The “Voice of Your Merritt Centennials,” Jared Thomas, will have the action for you this weekend on Super Save Gas Cents Hockey on Q101 beginning with the pre-game show tonight and Saturday night at 6:45 p.m.