The Merritt Centennials, (9-12-2-1), have a big weekend coming up, facing the West Kelowna Warriors, (15-10-1-0), over in West Kelowna on Friday night, and then they face the red hot Trail Smoke Eaters, (19-5-1-0) at home on Saturday night.
The last time that the Cents and Warriors met was, back on October 29th over at the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena, where it was the Cents that topped the Warriors 5-1. Goals for the Cents came from the Van Unen twins, Rylan and Mike, Bradley Cocca and Brendan Schneider had two. For the Warriors, the lone goal came from Garrett Ewert. Jake Berger faced a total of 37 shots while Cole Demers faced 55 for the Warriors.
The last time that the Smokies and Cents met was also back in October, just two days before the Warriors were in town, but with the Cents falling 5-4. Goals hailing from Zach Court, Ashton Stockie and two from Tyrell Buckley. Berger faced 60 shots while Smokies goalie Tanner Marshall faced 26 shots.
For the Cents, they’ll look to players like Zach Zorn, Henry Cleghorn, Nick Wicks and Tyrell Buckley to help pick up points this weekend. Zorn currently leads the team in points with 20 total, having eight goals and 12 assists. Cleghorn and Wicks both have 19 points, Cleghorn having eight goals and 11 assists and Wicks with six goals and 13 assists. On the backend, Buckley leads the defenceman currently with 16 points, drawing five goals and 11 assists.
The Cents do have to watch the top two forwards from the Warriors, Jared Marino, (eight goals, 12 assists), and Chase Dubois, (nine goals, 10 assists) and then their top defenceman, Michael Ryan, (three goals, 16 assists).
The same goes against the Smoke Eaters, especially with players like Kale Howarth and Ross Armour on the front end. Howarth putting up 15 goals and 24 assists in just 23 games and Armour putting up, 14 goals and 25 assists in 25 games. On the backend, it’s Jeremy Lucchini that the Cents have to watch. Lucchini has put up three goals and 23 assists in just 25 games.
You can catch the Cents game live on Q101 with Jared Thomas starting at 6:45 for Friday night’s game in West Kelowna, and then come down to the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena for Saturday’s tilt vs Trail.
Get your tickets at the arena on game day or stop in at the Cents Marketing Office
