Cents Game Day – Merritt vs West Kelowna – January 14/23

Date – Saturday, January 14, 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 – 10-21-3-1

West Kelowna Warriors – 19-10-4-0

Previous meetings;

The Merritt Centennials and the West Kelowna Warriors have only played each other once this season, with the Cents falling in that one.

November 5, VS West Kelowna: Cents lose 8-1

Over the past five seasons, the Centennials have won seven of 21.

These two teams will end the year playing each other five more times after tonight.

Blue Paint Battle;

Johnny Hicks has made 22 appearances this season logging over 1,200 minutes of hockey, 1,282 to be exact. Hicks has put up a 8-7-3-1 record with a 0.919 SV% and a 3.32 GAA. Back-up Connor Sullivan has a 1-8 record in nine games with a 0.869 SV% and a 5.49 GAA.

With 20 appearances this season, Justin Katz has dominated the playing time. In those 20 games, Katz has a 12-5-2 record while putting up a 0.892 SV% and a 3.44 GAA. Back-up Angelo Zol has played well in his limited outings. Playing in 11 games, having a 4-3-1 record with a 0.897 SV% and a 3.41 GAA.

Special Teams Comparison;

Cents – PP 18.1% (23/127) *15^th best in the league PK 81.9% (131/160) *6^th best in the league

Warriors – PP 24.1% (33/137) *2^nd best in the league PK 74.4% (96/129) *17^th best in the league

Players to Watch;

Maddix McCagherty is making his Centennials debut tonight. The 16-year-old was drafted 25 overall in the 2021 WHL bantam draft to the Swift Current Broncos. McCagherty played in 16 games in the WHL not being able to grab a point. He has played the the last 5 games with the Kelowna Chiefs of the KIJHL where has scored four points (2G,2A).

The Warriors leading scorer tortured the Cents last time out and will be looked upon to do the same here tonight. Jaiden Moriello scored three goals and added in an assist in the lone matchup between these two teams in an 8-1 win. On the season, Moriello has 29 points, scoring 18 goals and 11 assists.