Cents Game Day – Merritt at Salmon Arm – Nov 5/21

Date – Friday, November 5, 2021

Game Time – Puck drop 6:00 pm, Pregame show 5:45 pm

Location – Shaw Centre, Salmon Arm BC

Broadcast – CKMQ-FM Q101 & BCHLTV

Salmon Arm Silverbacks – 7-0-1

Merritt Centennials – 0-9-0

The hunt for win number one on the season rolls into Salmon Arm tonight, in a basement versus penthouse showdown with the Silverbacks.

The Merritt Centennials travelled to Cranbrook Wednesday in search of their first win of the season, after starting 0-8.

The Cranbrook Bucks looked like they were shot out of a cannon in the first period. Adding to the pressure was the Cents taking a pair of penalties, which they would kill off. At the mid-point of the frame the Bucks were outshooting Merritt 11-0.

The game remained scoreless thanks to the great play of Keegan Maddocks between the pipes.

The Bucks would eventually bulge the twine when Liam Hansson broke down the right wing and dropped to Cole Assailly who beat Maddocks just over the pad.

Merritt would chip back on the shot clock finishing the opening frame down 14-9 shots, 1-0 on the scoreboard.

Cranbrook carried over that high energy in the second period but this time Maddocks couldn’t hold the line.

Just 14 seconds in Johnny Johnson would beat Maddocks and the Bucks wouldn’t stop.

By the end of the period Cranbrook would add 5 more goals to lead 7-0. The Cents were given four chances on the powerplay in the frame but couldn’t convert.

Maddocks stopping 28/35 shots through 40 minutes.

The third period was rather uneventful compared to the one that preceded it. Only one goal was scored in the frame, as Luke Pfoh scored on a late powerplay chance.

That made the final 8-0, and the Cents fall to 0-9 on the season.

Salmon Arm is coming off a massive comeback victory over Vernon on Wednesday. The ‘Backs trailled both 4-1 before storming back to win in overtime, 5-4. They hold the best record in the Interior at 7-0-1.

Previous meetings;

The Merritt Centennials and Silverbacks has faced each other once already this year with Salmon Arm claiming a 3-1 win in Merritt on opening weekend.

In that contest Jerzy Orchard scored the only goal for Merritt, while the ‘Back out-shoot Merritt 47-23 on the night. Brayden Melynk was in net for that contest.

Blue Paint Battle;

The Cents have run with Keegan Maddocks between the pipes for three straight games, as John Hicks nurses a tweak. Maddocks is 0-3 with a .827 SV% and a 7.08 GAA. Should Hicks be ready to go, he’s 0-3 with a .858 SV% and a 5.21 GAA.

Owen Say has appeared in 7 of 8 games for Salmon Arm, posting a 6-0-1 record with a .898 SV% and a 2.54 GAA. There little called upon backup is Liam Vanderkooi at 1-0 with a .909 SV% and a 2.00 GAA.

Special Teams Comparison;

Backs – PP 30.6% (3/18) PK 87.1% (1/18)

Cents – PP 14.0% (17/18) PK 72.3% (15/18)