Merritt Game Day: Centennials VS Powell River Kings

Sep 22, 2023 | 3:38 PM Vern Strecheniuk

Merritt Centennials – 1-3-0

The Cents finished strong in a dominant 4-1 win over the Silverbacks in their final preseason tilt. Andrew Ballantyne was 40 seconds away from a shutout, he’ll get the start today. Lindblad was named Captain, he’ll join Dylan Emerson on forward, Gill-Shane on defense and goaltender Mezsargs from Latvia as players added to the team, who didn’t play in the preseason. Out the door are Sammy May, Stefan Carney and Alex Stepanek. Lindblad will serve his suspension from last season and play his 100th BCHL game tomorrow.

Powell River is a long way from home but they’d love to take home a win in their only game of the weekend. The River Kings lost 4 out of 6 preseason games however their best game was a 5-4 shootout win over the impressive Cranbrook Bucks. A wild game that saw the River Kings blow a 4-1 first period lead and then win in a shootout. It was the Bucks only loss out of their four preseason games. The Kings finished the preseason with a 5-3 loss in Prince George, a game in which they were down 5-1 then tried to mount a comeback. The Kings have had some pretty high scoring games so far.

The Centennials are 2-1 against the River Kings in three meetings over five seasons.
Last season the Centennials beat the Kings 5-3 in Powell River. This season Merritt has only five returning players, all forwards. Lindblad (who won’t play tonight) Emerson who just rejoined the team, Smith, Spinale and Jugnauth, all three played in all four preseason games.

Cents – PP 16.1% (28/174) *17th best in the league PK 71.9% (174/242) *18th best in the league
Kings – PP 20.8%% (37/178) *8th best in the league PK 79.1% (151/191) *10th best in the league

Damon Jugnauth led the team with 2 goals and 2 assists in the preseason while Gill-Shane and Dylan Emerson are playing their first games of the year.
Alexis Cournoyer had 1 goal and 2 assists in 4 games for the Powell River Kings.