Cents Game Day – Merritt vs Cranbrook – January 6/23

Date – Friday, January 6, 2023

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 – 9-19-3-1 

Cranbrook Bucks – 21-9-1-0

Previous meetings;

The Merritt Centennials and the Cranbrook Bucks have played each other four times this season and the Cents got their first win in the matchup last night.

September 23 VS Cranbrook: 5-2 Cents lose

November 18 @ Cranbrook: 5-2 Cents lose

December 17 @ Cranbrook: 4-1 Cents lose

January 5 VS Cranbrook: 4-3 Cents win

Since the Bucks entered the league they have beat the Centennials seven times in nine games.

Blue Paint Battle;

Johnny Hicks has made 20 appearances this season logging over 1,100 minutes of hockey, 1,162 to be exact. Hicks has put up a 7-6-3-1 record with a 0.918 SV% and a 3.30 GAA. Back-up Connor Sullivan has a 1-7 record in eight games with a 0.871 SV% and a 5.41 GAA.

The goalie role on this Bucks team has been dominated mostly by Nathan Airey. Airey has played in 22 games, putting up a 14-6-1 record with a 0.932 SV% and a 2.33 GAA. The back-up Carter Capton can’t be overlooked as he has a 7-3 record with a 0.911 SV% and a 2.49 GAA. The Bucks also currently have an AP goalie on the roster in Matthew Fleet, who hasn’t made an appearance yet.

Special Teams Comparison;

Cents – PP 17.8% (21/118) *15^th best in the league PK 81.8% (121/148) *6^th best in the league

Bucks – PP 14.3% (15/105) *18^th best in the league PK 84.5% (82/97) *3^rd best in the league

Players to Watch;

With another two assists last night, Tristan Allen’s assist total continues to grow. With 21 assists on the season, Allen is now tied for ninth in the league in that category. Throughout the four games in this matchup, Allen has four points, all assists. On the season, the defenseman has 23 points (2G,21A).

With two goals against the Cents in last nights game, Noah Quinn will look to keep the ball rolling. Through the four games against the Centennials this season, Quinn has three goals and an assist. The assistant captain on the season is tied for fourth on the team in scoring with 21 points (10G,11A).