Cents Game Day – Merritt vs Trail – December 9/22

Date – Friday, December 9, 2022

Game Time – Puck drop 7:00 pm, Pregame show 6:45 pm

Location – Nicola Valley Memorial Arena, Merritt BC

Broadcast – CKMQ-FM Q101 & BCHLTV

Merritt Centennials – 7-14-3-0

Trail Smoke Eaters – 10-11-1-2

Previous meetings;

The Merritt Centennials and the Trail Smoke Eaters have already played three times this season with the Cents losing all three.

November 19: 3-1 Cents loss

October 28: 5-1 Cents loss

September 24: 7-4 Cents loss

Over the past five seasons, the Cents have the disadvantage, with a record of 6-12-1-2.

Blue Paint Battle;

Johnny Hicks has made 15 appearances this season logging over 800 minutes of hockey, 881 to be exact. Hicks has put up a 6-4-3 record with a 0.919 SV% and a 3.27 GAA. Back-up Connor Sullivan is still trying to get his feet underneath on the Cents. Sullivan has played in four games with an 0-4 record and a 0.845 SV% and 7.24 GAA.

Teagan Kendrick has played most of the games for the Smoke Eaters so far this season, making 16 appearances. Throughout those games, Kendrick has a 6-7-1 record with a 0.909 SV% and a 3.28 GAA. Keegan Maddocks has taken over the back-up role for this team, putting up a 1-2 record with a 0.861 SV% and a 5.11 GAA.

Special Teams Comparison;

Cents – PP 20.69% (18/87) *9^th best in the league PK 81.03% (94/116) *5^th best in the league

Smokies – PP 23.61% (17/72) *3^rd best in the league PK 75.86% (66/87) *14^th best in the league

Players to Watch;

After a blazing start to the season, Diego Johnson found himself in a slump but is slowly climbing his way out. In the last three games, Johnson has three points, scoring two and adding in an assist. The 16-year-old rookie has ten points on the season (6G,4A).

Evan Bushy is putting up a great offensive season on the back end for the Smoke Eaters. The defenseman is tied for second on the team in scoring with 19 points (3G,16A). Also on the season, Bushy has showed extreme discipline, only receiving four penalty minutes in 24 games.