The Merritt Centennials let two leads slip through their fingers in the first couple of periods on Friday night at the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena, before Jesse Knowler gave the Trail Smoke Eaters the 3-2 win with just over a minute left in regulation.
The Cents managed 38 shots on goal, which is a season-high, but the bounce back performance of the Smokies netminder Adam Todd was too much to overcome in the 3rd period. Trail responded with 27 shots, with roughly ten of those shots coming in the first 30 minutes of the game.
Once again it was a night of first's, as Wayland Williams scored his first BCHL goal, AP-call up Max James made his BCHL debut and got an assist, while Adam Ulfsax of Trail also picked up his first BCHL tally. On top of all of that, goaltender Todd picked up his first win on the season for the Smoke Eaters.
Devin Kero looked sharp once again, stopping 24 shots, however you can be sure he would have like to have stopped that shot from Knowler with 1:13 left in the game.
Merritt lost another forward in the game as well, with Daniel Nachbaur leaving in the 2nd period due to a skate incision on his forearm. Nachbaur isn't expected to be out long-term, but he will miss tomorrow night's contest in Vernon.
The Vipers host the Centennials at 7:00 from Kal-Tire Place, in the two clubs' first meeting of the season. Both teams are tied for last in the BCHL's Interior Division, with four points.
The Q101 broadcast begins at 6:30, with the Norgaard Ready Mix Pregame Show. We'll be joined by Jason Williamson, head coach of the Vipers, and Merritt's bench boss Luke Pierce.
