Cents Game Day – Merritt at Vernon – March 19/22

Date – Saturday, March 19, 2022

Game Time – Puck drop 7:00 pm

Location – Kal Tire Place, Vernon B.C.

Broadcast – Q101 & BCHLTV

Vernon Vipers – 25-19-4-3

Merritt Centennials – 3-43-2-2

The Merritt Centennials and Vernon Vipers will conclude their season series tonight from Kal Tire Place

Friday night was the final home game of the season for the Merritt Centennials, but sadly they didn’t start on time and West Kelowna took full advantage.

Before the Cents could even muster a lowly shot on goal, the Warriors had scored four times and chases Jackson Baker from the Merritt cage.

At the 1:25 mark it was Chase Dafoe opening the scoring, he would add another in the period as well. Also scoring in the frame was Charles-Alexis Legault and Brennan Nelson.

Following the fourth goal at the 6:38 mark, Peyton Trzaska would take over in the net and keep the scoreline right where it was at 4-0 with 8 big saves.

The Cents would come out much stronger in the middle stanza with Jackson Krill scoring top corner past Justin Katz to put Merritt on the board.

Late in the frame, Tyler Cristall would score after Trzaska lost his glove, the goal would stand, and Head Coach Curtis Toneff would blow up on the refs and get kicked out of the game. According to Hockey Canada the correct call was made.

On the ensuing Warriors powerplay Ben Ward who streak in all alone and get pulled down leading to a penalty shot. Ward would cut right before firing high, Katz getting the blocker on it to make the save.

After two 5-1 West Kelowna. Trzaska stopping 20/21 in relief.

West K would add two more in the final period to win 7-1.

The Snakes enter play tonight winners of three of their last five, including two wins over the Merritt Centennials by 9-0 and 4-1 scores. Vernon has not played since Wednesday night in Merritt. Luke Buss leads the offense with 34 points.

The Vipers still have something to play for as they could catch Cranbrook for the 5^th seed in the Interior if they win out. Currently they would match up with West Kelowna in round one.

Previous meetings;

The Cents and Vipers have played four times this season with Vernon winning all four matchups and two with nine goal outputs. The Cents have also forced OT in one of the games before losing in a shootout. Tonight’s game completes the season series.

Blue Paint Battle;

John Hicks allowed six goals on Thursday but deserved a better fate. Hicks is now 0-14-3 with a .895 SV% and 5.22 GAA.

Jackson Baker is 0-10 with a .855 SV% and a 7.40 GAA after getting an early hook on Friday night at home.

Also joining the Cents for the stretch run is AP goalie Payton Trzaska. The goalie played for the Princeton Posse this season in the KIJHL, posting a 10-8 record with a 3.20 GAA and .914 SV%. With Merritt he is 0-1, 5.81 GAA and a .892 SV%.

The Vipers are led in net by Roan Clarke who picked up win number 18 versus Merritt on Wednesday. Clarke has a .917 SV% and 2.65 GAA. Ethan David is 7-5-2 with a .911 SV% and a 2.70 GAA.

Special Teams Comparison;

Vipers – PP 18.5% (12/18) PK 80.6% (9/18)

Cents – PP 11.6% (18/18) PK 68.0% (18/18)