Cents Game Day – Merritt vs Penticton – March 3/23

Date – Friday, March 3, 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 – 11-30-3-2

Penticton Vees – 43-3-0-1

Previous Meetings;

The Merritt Centennials and the Penticton Vees have played each other four times already this season. The Cents are yet to win in this matchup this season.

October 7, @ Penticton: Cents lose 6-0

October 14, VS Penticton: Cents lose 5-4 OT

December 14, VS Penticton: Cents lose 8-0

February 18, VS Penticton: Cents lose 7-2

Over the past five seasons, the Centennials have won a single game in 23 games in this matchup.

Blue Paint Battle;

Connor Sullivan has taken over the starting job for this Centennials team due to an injury to Johnny Hicks. In 16 games played, Sullivan has a 2-12 record with a 0.874 SV% and a 5.33 GAA Before the injury, Hicks made 27 appearances putting up an 8-10-3 record with a 0.917 SV% and a 3.53 GAA.

Luca Di Pasquo has dominated most of the action in net so far this season, and rightfully so. In 33 games played, he has a 29-3 record with a 0.924 SV% and a 1.66 GAA. Back-up Hank Levy has had a great season also. Levy has a 12-0 record while issuing a 0.914 SV% and a 1.95 GAA.

Special Teams Comparison;

Cents – PP 18.1% (28/155) *16^th best in the league PK 77.3% (157/203) *13^th best in the league

Vees – PP 37.3% (66/177) *1^st best in the league PK 83.9% (104/124) *3^rd best in the league

Players to Watch;

Carter Schmidt is coming into this game needing to produce some much-needed secondary scoring. With a lost of injuries going into this game against the leagues best team, Schmidt will be looking to get back on track to help his team. Schmidt has not been able to find the scoring sheet in the last seven games. On the season so far, he has three goals and 11 assists in 41 games.

Defenseman Ryan Hopkins has been getting it done on both ends of the ice this season. In 39 games played, he has 38 points (8G,30A), including a two assist game last time these two teams met. On the defensive end of the ice, he has been reliable to clear the front of the net as the 18 year-old has only taken three penalties all season so far.