Cents Game Day – Merritt vs West Kelowna – March 4/23

Date – Saturday, March 4, 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 – 11-31-3-2

West Kelowna Warriors – 26-17-4-0

 

Previous Meetings;

The Merritt Centennials and the West Kelowna Warriors have played each other five times already this season. The Cents are yet to win in this matchup.

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

January 14, VS West Kelowna: Cents lose 6-4

January 25, @ West Kelowna: Cents lose 4-3 SO

February 20, @ West Kelowna: Cents lose 9-1

February 26, @ West Kelowna: Cents lose 7-1

Over the past five seasons, the Centennials have won 7 of 25 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 17 games played, Sullivan has a 2-13 record with a 0.865 SV% and a 5.87 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.

The two goalies on dressed for the Warriors tonight have nearly identical playing time this season. Angelo Zol has a 6-4-1 record in 16 games played putting up a 0.876 SV% and a 3.93 GAA. Backing him up is Cayden Hamming. In 14 games this year, Hamming has a 0.884 SV% and a 3.17 GAA while going 7-3-1.

Special Teams Comparison;

Cents – PP 17.7% (28/158) *16^th best in the league PK 76.8% (157/207) *13^th best in the league

Warriors – PP 24.7% (48/194) *2^nd best in the league PK 73.9% (159/180) *17^th best in the league

Players to Watch;

Connor Sullivan is looking for a much needed bounce back game tonight. In last nights lose, Sullivan made 47/60 saves in a 13-1 drubbing to the Penticton Vees. The Vees are the best offensive team in the BCHL so it meant for a tough matchup for Sullivan. The Warriors are up there for one of the best offenses also, so needing a big bounce game is Sullivan tonight.

Chris Duclair has played the Centennials hard all season. Through the five games, Duclair has eight points (4G,4A) which includes a three point outing last weekend when these two team met. In 45 games total this season, Duclair has 30 points (11G,19A).