Centennials snap losing streak during weekend split up north

The Merritt Centennials were up north in Prince George for back-to-back games against the Spruce Kings over the weekend.

The first game needed extra time but saw the Centennials snap their four game-losing streak. Whereas the next game, the offense for the Spruce Kings exploded, putting up double digits.

Friday, February 10: Merritt Centennials @ Prince George Spruce Kings

The Centennials came into the first period surprisingly hot despite the long road trip during the day to Prince George. Eight minutes into the opening frame, Jaxson Murray finds the twine for the 17th time this season, extending his team lead. The Spruce Kings answered quickly with a tying goal a minute later with a Charlie Banquier shot from the point. The Centennials killed off an Erik Sollied holding call as the period was ending. Final after the first, 1-1.

The penalty kill for the Cents was on display in the second period. Merritt killed off the first 1:39 of a Kyle Isenberg hooking call before Ty Gagno took a slash to even up the ice with a four-on-four. With seven minutes left in the period, Ryan Spinale was sent to the box for a hook, followed up a minute later by a Michael Shara roughing penalty. The Centennials were able to fend off the five-on-three advantage. As time was coming to an end in the second frame, Jackson Krill sniped home his 15th of the season to grab a late period lead. Final after the second, 2-1.

The third period was light on the scoresheet until some last minute heroics by the Spruce Kings. With a minute left in the final frame and down by one, Linden Makow scores to tie up the game with his 11th of the year. This game was heading to overtime. Final after the third, 2-2.

It only took a minute and a half of three-on-three action for a member of the Cents, with his family in the stands to score the game winner. Diego Johnson grabbed the puck during a scramble in front of the net and scored the game winning goal for the Centennials. Final score, 3-2.

Connor Sullivan got his second win of the season making 38/40 saves. In the game, the Cents were outshot 40-14. Centennials affiliate defensemen, Jesse Ivanovic made his BCHL debut in this game as well.

Saturday, February 11: Merritt Centennials @ Prince George Spruce Kings

Looking for revenge after the lose, the Spruce Kings came out flying, grabbing an early lead. Diego Johnson was sent to the sin bin for a high stick at the 3:31 mark, sending the Spruce Kings on the man advantage. It took less than a minute for John Herrington to score the powerplay goal. Johnny Hicks, who got the start, was pulled due to an apparent injury just seven minutes into the game, leading to Connor Sullivan playing for the second day in a row. After entering the game, Sullivan was tested early. Ty Gagno scored at the 9:14 mark of the opening period. With five minutes left, Luca Primerano sniped the top corner, extending the lead to three late in the opening frame. After the goal was scored and with Primerano celebrating, Carter Schmidt and Austin Fraser were getting rough behind the play, leading to the Centennials coming away down three but with a powerplay. Jaxson Murray capitalized on the man advantage by scoring his eighth powerplay goal of the season. In the final minute of the first period, Murray and Jackson Krill came down the ice two-on-one and Krill took the feed and backhanded it into the back of the net, bringing the deficit to one. Final after the first, 3-2.

The second period started even better for the Spruce Kings. Within the first 19 seconds of the middle frame, the Spruce Kings took it down the ice and Linden Makow found the back of the net. Two minutes later, Jack Kurrle scored his fifth goal of the year. Just over a minute later, the Spruce Kings regained their three goal lead with Jake Schneider ripping it home. With four minutes left in the middle period, Michael Shara slapped home a one timer from the point, cutting the lead back down to two. Jesse Ivanovic, playing in his second career BCHL game got his first career point with the second assist. The Centennials only had the one shot on goal in the period. Final after the second, 6-3.

The Spruce Kings were not ready to let their foot off the pedal in the final 20 minutes. Another early goal, just over five minutes in, the second of the game by Makow. A minute and a half later, Jack Stockfish grew the lead to five for the Spruce Kings. Halfway through the period, Connor Farren was caught with a cross-check and went to sit for two minutes. For the second time in the game, the Spruce Kings scored a powerplay goal with Gagno’s second goal of the game. In the final minute of the game, Stockfish wasn’t ready to let up as he scored his second of the game as well to expand the lead to seven. Hunter Price was called for a boarding penalty in the final thirty seconds which sent the Cents to a late powerplay. As time expired, beating the buzzers by milliseconds, Christian Lowe snipped the top corner in the slot, his seventh powerplay goal of the season, to make the score look a little better. Final score, 10-4.

Johhny Hicks started the game, only playing 7:10 while stopping 5/6. Connor Sullivan replaced Hicks after the injury and took the lose. Sullivan stopped 40/49. It was the second straight game where the Cents got badly outshot, 55-16.

The Merritt Centennials return home on Saturday (February 18) for a matchup against the Interior division leading, Penticton Vees.