Centennials win third straight Friday with shootout win over Summerland

Sniper Noah Lawless scored the only goal of the shootout and helped the Merritt Centennials to a 2-1 win over the Jets on Friday night in BCHC action in Summerland.

The victory marked the Centennials third win in a row and avenged Summerland’s 4-2 win over the Cents at the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena (NVMA) on September 30.

The Centennials ( 5-2-1-0) are just a single point behind the Revelstoke Grizzlies for top spot in the BCHC’s Interior Division have a pair of games scheduled for this weekend including a huge contest against the Grizzlies on Saturday night on the road.

After a scoreless first period on Friday night, Ryker Swanson scored his second of the season at 17:49, however the lead didn’t last long as the Jets answered with Chase Heide tying the game at 19:12 of the second.

Sam Sasqiw was spectacular again for the Centennials stopping 26 of 27 shots he faced to improve to 5-1-01 in seven starts with a goals against average of 2.64.

“Sam has been a warrior for us this season,” said Cents head coach Henry Acres in a recent interview. “He’s focused and ready to prove himself every single night he’s called upon.”

The Cents entertain the Nelson Leafs (3-4-0-1) on Friday night at the NVMA. Game time is 7:00 p.m.

Q101 will have the action for you on Super Save Gas Cents Hockey with Jared Thomas beginning with the pre-game show Friday night at 6:45.