Cents Game Day – Merritt vs Vernon – January 7/23

Date – Saturday, January 7, 2023

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

Location – Kal Tire Place, Vernon BC

Broadcast – CKMQ-FM Q101 & BCHLTV

Merritt Centennials – 9-20-3-1

Vernon Vipers – 14-14-0-4

Previous meetings;

The Merritt Centennials and the Vernon Vipers have played each other three times this season and the Cents have one win between them.

October 30 VS Vernon: 4-2 Cents win

November 12 @ Vernon: 2-1 Cents lose

December 30 @ Vernon: 4-0 Cents lose

Over the past five seasons, the Centennials have five wins in 20 games.

Blue Paint Battle;

Johnny Hicks has made 21 appearances this season logging over 1,200 minutes of hockey, 1,222 to be exact. Hicks has put up a 7-6-3-1 record with a 0.919 SV% and a 3.29 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 responsibilities have been split even between the two on the roster. Roan Clarke has the slight advantage playing in 18 games, putting up a 7-8 record with a 0.906 SV% and a 3.02 GAA. Just behind, playing in 16 games, Ethan David has a 7-6 record with a 0.906 SV% and a 2.98 GAA.

Special Teams Comparison;

Cents – PP 18.2% (22/121) *15^th best in the league PK 82.2% (125/152) *6^th best in the league

Vipers – PP 20.5% (23/112) *8^th best in the league PK 86.5% (115/133) *1^st best in the league

Players to Watch;

Jaxson Murray scored the lone goal for the Centennials last night in a 4-1 lose to the Cranbrook Bucks and the team will be looking towards him for more scoring. The Cents were shutout by the Vipers last time these two teams met, so Murray, the leading scorer (11G,18A), will look for more points to help his team.

After being shutout last night by the Salmon Arm Silverbacks, 3-0, the Vipers will be looking to get more scoring tonight. That starts with Reagan Milburn, who leads the team in scoring this season (10G,17A).