Assistant Coach Connor Logan throws in Sam Grabner for first BCHL goal, an overtime winner

MERRITT — Well he won a championship with the North Battleford North Stars and now Connor Logan is dripping off that championship pedigree with a coaches decision that led to the game winning goal. Assistant Coach Logan gave Head Coach Brian Passmore the suggestion of throwing in Sam Grabner in overtime against the Trail Smoke Eaters.

The result? The pictures speak for themselves.

It’s a game of inches and the story would’ve been a tough one had the Centennials dropped two straight overtime games, after blowing a 4-1 lead.

Jaxson Murray didn’t take long to extend his goal scoring streak to 4 games as Sam Grabner and Keirnan Poulin got the assist at the 1:21 mark. Lucas Marshall would respond for the Smoke Eaters at the ten minute mark but captian Aiden Lindblad would take the lead right back for the home side.

Michael Felsing would make it 3-1 as Dylan Lariviere was able to get his second assist of the night to add to his hot rookie season.

The Captain Aiden Lindblad would add a shorthanded goal unassisted to make it 4-1 Merritt at the 8:24 mark of the second period.

Trail would not go away however, as Adam Barone and Adam Marshall would cut the lead to 4-3 heading to the third period.

The third period was a back and forth affair but Christain Kim would silence the home side with a 4-4 tying goal with about ten left in the game.

Both sides played in overtime last night and it would take more than 60 to decide the winner again.

Luke Melnik, who was rewarded with more ice time for his stellar play of late fed Ty Wishart who faked out Trail goaltender Ryan Parker for the perfect pass to Sam Grabner. Grabner would waste no time icing the game and finishing off the weekend for the Centennials with a huge home win.

Overall Merritt got 3 out of 4 points on a road and home game this weekend as the season approaches the mid way point.

Next Friday the Centennials will host West Kelowna for the teddy bear toss game at the NVMA.

The team hopes Merrittonians can pack the NVMA!

Here is the game winning call: