Game Day: Prince George Spruce Kings (1-1-1-0) @ Merritt Centennials (3-3-0-0)

Merritt Centennials – 3-3-0

Well they don’t call him Lucky Losier for nothing. Number seven Zach Losier completed a hat-trick overtime game-winning goal to bring his goal total to seven on the season, which leads the entire BCHL in tallies. The goal helped complete a two game sweep of the Bucks, it was the team’s first ever win in Cranbrook.

It was a weekend of firsts as Nathan Taylor, Luke Melnik, and Dylan Lariviere all tallied their first BCHL goals while Latvian goaltender Karlis Mezsargs had a monster performance of his own. Mezsargs stopped 44 of 46 shots to get his first BCHL win.

Prince George Spruce Kings – 1-1-1

It was an offensive clinic at Kopar Memorial Arena 10 days ago when the Prince George Spruce Kings got their first win of the 2023-24 BCHL season. The Spruce Kings, now 1-1-1-0 threw 42 shots at net, finding the twine five times in a dominating win over the Merritt Centennials. They haven’t played anyone in 10 days, the rest could be seen as a benefit in a busy BCHL season but not when you’ve played only 3 games prior to the break. The Kings could be rusty but likely are itching to go.

Previous Meetings;

Centennials 3 @ Spruce Kings 5

It definitely wasn’t ideal as the Centennials had to bus overnight from Vernon to PG after a loss where Merritt had the lead early. There will be no fatigue excuses this time as the Cents have now had a couple of days rest since getting back from Cranbrook late Saturday throughout the night. Will confidence be a factor after two big road wins? Or will rest be a factor as the Kings have had more rest? Will rust be a factor for PG Merritt has their game day legs under them having just played? Will frustration and anger be a factor as the Kings bullied a tired Cents team, Lariviere himself had a chipped tooth after he was cross checked from behind in last weekend’s loss in PG.

Blue Paint Battle;

Andrew Ballantyne and Karlis Mezsargs now have near identical records, a save percentage around .900 and GAA near 4.00 so you know the pair has kept their team in it when called upon. 

If Brian Passmore is to go with the hotter hand, he could consider going with Mezsargs after his monster 44 save performance Friday. 

Ballantyne was also the goaltender in net when the team lost 5-3 in PG. That loss was definitely not on Ballantyne but don’t be surprised if Passmore goes with the hot hand.

Special Teams Comparison;

Cents – 4/21 (19.05%) (10th) PK 20/24 (83.33%) (8th)

Kings –  1/13 (7.69%) (17th) PK 12/14 (85.71%) (2nd)

Players to Watch;

Do I even need to tell you who to watch for the Centennials? Lucky Losier is now leading the BCHL in goals, he had the first tally in the last game between these two teams. Let’s see what he looks like at the top of his confidence. 

That being said, last year’s Cents didn’t have the balanced scoring this team has. Over the weekend a lot of first BCHL goals were scored. 

For the Spruce Kings McGregor-Bennett and JR Perdion still lead the team with 3 points each. Skogen Schrott is a chippy little forward who likes to get involved physically and contribute offensively. He’s got 2 goals so far in 3 games and definitely got under the skin of a couple of Cents players last game.