Cents looking to bounce back after losing playoff openers in Revelstoke

The Merritt Centennials are hoping the friendly confines of the Nicola valley Memorial Arena (NVMA) will bring better results in their opening round best-of-seven KIJHL playoff series to the Revelstoke Grizzlies over the weekend.

The Grizzlies lead the series two games to none after posting a 5-4 overtime win on Friday, and a 5-0 shutout victory on Saturday night, both at the Forum in Revelstoke.

On Friday night, the Centennials lead 2-1 after one period and 3-2 after 40 minutes of play, however the Grizzlies Noah Fricke scored with under five minutes remaining in regulation to tie the game, before scoring the winner at 6:04 of the first overtime period to secure the series lead.

On Saturday night Austin Seibel made 43 stops and Walker Overwater scored a natural hat trick as the Grizzlies shutout the Centennials 5-0, to send the Centennials back to the Nicola Valley trailing the series by two games.

The series now shifts to the NVMA for the next two games, Tuesday and Wednesday evening beginning at 7:00 p.m. The Centennials have a regular season record of 16-6 at home this year at the NVMA and are hoping the trends continues.

Tickets for game three and four are available in advance at  Showcase.ca or from Nicola Valley Sports on Quilchena Ave.

Jared Thomas will have the action for you on Super Save Gas Playoff hockey on Q101 beginning Tuesday night at 6:45 p.m.