GAME DAY: Merritt Centennials (11-13-3-1) @ Surrey Eagles (19-4-2-0)

Dec 29, 2023 | 5:58 AM Vern Strecheniuk

Merritt Centennials – (11-13-3-1)

Passmore had the boys clicking before the break. The Centennials rattled off back-to-back wins against the Alberni Valley Bulldogs and Nanaimo Clippers, two teams atop the Coastal conference Standings. Merritt has beaten three of four teams leading the Coastal and can make it four for four with a win tonight. The Centennials are 4-1-2 against the other Conference with just one regulation loss, that loss coming after a long road trip that included a ferry ride.

Surrey Eagles – (19-4-2-0)

Surrey has lost 5 of their last 8 games after starting the season undefeated through September and October. Most of those losses came against Coastal teams, some at the bottom of the conference. Can Merritt do what Cranbrook and Prince George did in defeating the Eagles? It won’t be easy as Surrey is 11-1-1-0 at home this season but with both teams coming off the break anything can happen.

Previous Meetings;

Surrey is 3-1-0 over Merritt over the past few seasons. These two teams don’t meet very often despite being only a three to four hour drive apart.

Special Teams Comparison;

Cents – 23/64 (24.5%) (5th) PK 21/94 (80.6%) (6th)

Eagles – 23/84 (26.6 % (2nd) PK 15/80 (81.3%) (3rd)

Players to Watch;

All Star Michael Felsing was a bubble player at the beginning of the year, well look at Felsing now. Felsing went into the break on a heater with 2 goals and 3 assists for 5 points in 4 games. He has recorded a point in all but five games.

Andrew Ballantyne has put a .921 save percentage or better in five straight games putting his save percentage at .902 on the season with a GAA of 3.56 which proves he can keep his team in any sort of game.

For Surrey, Caden Cranston was named the top BCHL Star of the Week. The 19-year-old had his biggest offensive output when he piled up four points in a 6-4 Eagles win over the Powell River Kings. In the third, Cranston tied the game with the man advantage, then scored the winner while shorthanded with just 27 seconds to play in regulation. He was named first star of the game. Cranston has 3 goals and 6 assists, 9 points during a 4 game point streak after getting just one assist in five games prior.

Cranston leads the BCHL in scoring with 38 points in 24 games at the holiday break. His 17 goals are one off the league lead. Felsing is four points behind the lead in points.

Cents Bench | Madeline Baker Photography

Keys to Victory;

Key number 1 – Special Teams Mastery. The Eagles are Top 3 in Power Play and Penalty Kill and are one of the least penalized teams in the league. A parade to the penalty box will hand the game over to the 2nd best Power Play in the BCHL. Play hard but play smart out there.

Key Number 2 – Use your energy. The Centennials are coming off the break and should have their legs under them. While the focus might be a little bit off, lack of energy shouldn’t be a problem. The Eagles are a formidable opponent and their 11-1-1 home record is something to take very seriously.

Key number 3 – Play a fast and physical game. Seeing the Eagles play in Seattle you could see they are a very fast team but don’t give up a lot of chances. While both teams are even offensively, Surrey is the best defensive team in the BCHL. The goal calls may be limited today although Merritt has improved defensively themselves heading into the break.

The Centennials have only given up three goals in their last two games and in a two game set against Penticton recently only allowed five goals in two games. Besides a hiccup in Cowichan Valley the defense has improved quite a bit.