Photo Credit: Garrett James Photography
The Merritt Centennials (21-12-1-1 3rd Int) look to rebound at home against the Powell River Kings (20-13-1-0 2nd Isl) tonight.
The Centennials are coming off a tough loss in West Kelowna where they ran into a hot goalkeeper. Connor Hopkins stopped 48/51 shots, and only buckled in the 3rd period, but held off a Cents attack through 2 periods of play. The Cents couldn’t get their powerplay going in the first 2 periods, and the Warriors did – that spelled the difference in the game. The Warriors went 2/4 while the Cents went 0/4, and when you factor in the empty netter the 3 goal spread came courtesy the extra man. The Cents to their credit came back valiantly in the third period with goals from Brad Cocca, Mattias Dal Monte, and Matt Kopperud, but they couldn’t hold the tie and suffered the 6-3 loss. Cocca and Kopperud now have 16 goals on the year.
Powell River are one of the top teams on the Island, and they are starting to really turn it on across the board. They represent a challenge up and down the line up, and on special teams. Goalie Mitch Adamyk is coming off a player of the week performance, and forward Ryan Brushett scored the league-wide honor just three week ago. On special teams they are the top team with the man advantage, and second on the penalty kill. It’s going to take a full effort from top to bottom to beat the Kings.
The Kings swept the season series last year. They won in Merritt in a close 3-2 double overtime victory, and in Powell River they handled the Cents 7-4.
The Kings are 3-2 in their last 5 games, and have topped two strong teams in their last two outings. They blanked the Chilliwack Chiefs 5-0 and doubled up the Langley Rivermen last night 6-3.
The Centennials will need a full effort from their whole line up, but especially their top guns. With a goal and an assist, Cocca remains in 3rd in league scoring with 47 points. Nick Granowicz was robbed of a secondary assist last night and remains at 38 points, but did show flashes of his former slump self and has 38 points. Nick Wicks picked up an assist and is up to 37 points on the year.
The Kings are led by Ryan Brushett who is 2nd in league scoring with 48 points, and first in goals scored with 25. There’s a bit of a drop to Levi Glasman who has 34 points, and Neil Samanski who has 28 points.
The special teams battle is stacked in the Kings favour:
Powerplay: Penalty Kill:
Kings – 24.2% (1st) Kings – 87% (2nd)
Cents – 16.5% (15th) Cents – 76.3% (15th)
In net, Austin Roden suffered the loss last night and is 14-7 with a .897 SV% and a 3.35 GAA. Vincent Duplessis could see a return to the crease and is 7-4-2 with a .906 SV% and a 3.21 GAA. Mitch Adamyk is the standout goalie for the Kings and is 15-9 with a .908 SV% and a 2.73 GAA, and a league leading 4 shutouts. Hayden Missler is 4-3 with a 2.18 GAA and a .921 SV%.
Assistant Coach Brandon Shaw says the combination of depth with their ability on special teams will make the Kings a challenge.
“They’re really good throughout the line up and they’re right at the top in terms of the powerplay and the penalty kill. They’ll be a stiff test.”
The Cents will hope they can be equal to the task tonight.
Puck Drop 7pm. Pre-Game 6:45 on Hockey TV and q101.ca with Jared Thomas.
