Cents Game Day – Merritt vs Prince George- Feb 2/22

Date – Wednesday, February 2, 2022

Game Time – Puck drop 7:00 pm

Location – Nicola Valley Memorial Arena, Merritt B.C.

Broadcast – Q101 & BCHLTV

Prince George Spruce Kings – 19-9-3-4

Merritt Centennials – 2-29-1-1

The Merritt Centennials kick off the month of February with a Wednesday night matchup versus the Prince George Spruce Kings.

Friday night was Curtis Toneff and Jackson Krill’s first game against their former squad, the Trail Smoke Eaters. Krill was brought over to Merritt at the deadline for Nick Remmisong. Toneff played for Trail in 2013 and went on to serve as an assistant coach for two seasons.

The Smokies weren’t feeling nostalgic as less than five minutes in Zach Michaelis would open the scoring. At the 11:42 mark, Connor Michaud would beat Hicks on a soft looking shot to extend the Trail lead.

Trail would tack on two more goals in the period to finish up the first period up 4-0.

John Hicks would make a number of highlight real saves, stopping 19/23 through 20.

The Cents would play a much better middle stanza, but wouldn’t be rewarded for their efforts. To begin the frame, Hicks was replaced in goal by Jackson Baker.

The Cents would get a chance to break the goose egg on a 5-on-3, but Tristan Allan slipped at the line, allowing a 2-on-1 the other way that Evan Bushy would finish. Later on the powerplay the captain Coalson Wolford would add to the Smokies lead, 4-0 after two.

Despite giving up a pair, the Cents outshot the Smoke Eaters 16-10 in period and bounced back from a slow start.

Trail would add two more in the final frame to win 8-0. The Cents would fir e on 35 shots in the game, the most all month, but Evan Fradette turned them all away for the shutout.

The Spruce Kings have been sputtering of late, losing 4 of 5 entering play tonight. The loses come to the Trail Smoke Eaters and more recently back to back loses to the Vernon Vipers in games that required extra-time. The last five games for PG have all been decided by a single goal.

The Spruce Kings are led offensively by John Herrington with 40 points (17G, 23A), followed by Nick Rheaume with 38 (20G, 18A).

Previous meetings;

The Cents and Smoke Eaters have faced each other five times already this year with PG earning two points in every matchup. Most recently the teams met in PG on January 15, where the Spruce Kings would go on to win 5-1. In that contest, Jackson Baker was pulled in favour of Payton Trzaska. The lone goal came from Ryan Mulrenin.

Blue Paint Battle;

John Hicks is working to cement himself as Merritt’s number one goalie, but hit a speed-bump on Friday night getting pulled after one period. Hicks is now 0-7-1 with a .882 SV% and a 5.53 GAA.

Jackson Baker looked solid in relief of Hicks on Friday. Baker is 0-4 with a .809 SV% and a 9.88 GAA.

Aaron Trotter has been the starter in PG this season, posting a 12-7-2 record with a 2.33 GAA and a .912 SV%. Right behind him is Jorgan Farlie at 7-2-5 with a 1.81 GAA and a .927 SV%.

Special Teams Comparison;

PG – PP 23.8% (7/18) PK 81.6% (5/18)

Cents – PP 10.5% (18/18) PK 64.8% (18/18)