Centennials nab three out of four point this weekend as race for sixth place heats up

MERRITT — The Centennials made the long and daunting trip up to Prince George winning the first game 6-3 then dropping the second 4-3 in overtime. The Cents erased a 2-0 deficit in the second game, scoring three straight goals including two goals on a five minute powerplay to nearly pull off the sweep.

The Cents were seven minutes away from closing out a 3-2 win in the second game before Scott Cousins tied the game at 3-3.

In overtime a broken stick by Michael Felsing led to a 2 on 1 break for Spruce Kings as Kai Greaves was able to net the winner.

It was a tough break for the Cents, and very similar to the Seattle Showcase trip where they had the lead in the second game but had to travel home on a long bus ride after an overtime loss instead.

The stick break by Felsing was just bad luck as the Cents dropped to 2-5 in overtime this season.

Merritt Centennials | Zach Amin Photography

Because the Cranbrook Bucks were given a point back in the standings they are now just three points back of Merritt with four games left for both teams.

In the NHL pulling the goalie in overtime means the team forfeits a point in the extra frame. That rule doesn’t exist yet in the BCHL so after their point was taken away it was given back to them.

Cranbrook visits Merritt March 28th in what could be a winner takes all for the sixth spot in the division. Whoever finishes below in 7th will likely face the West Kelowna Warriors in the playoffs. The Cents are 2-5 against West Kelowna this season.

Merritt is back in action this Friday in Penticton at 7 p.m. then play Sunday in Salmon Arm at 4 p.m. That will spell the end of their season end five game road trip with two home games remaining in the regular season.

The Cents are 3-1-1 in their last five road games and 6-2-2 in their last ten games overall.