The price of tickets to Friday night's game between the Merritt Centennials and Salmon Arm Silverbacks may have exceeded $10.00 each, but every penny was worth it for the fans in attendance as the two teams played to a 5-5 tie with a combined 15 powerplays.
The Centennials got a three point night from Jeff Wight, who added a goal and assist in the 3rd period, while a pair of goals from Sebastien Pare nearly gave the Cents a chance to win. Dane Birks and Diego Cuglietta also picked up a pair of points, both being assists. In the tie, Devin Kero stopped 38 of 43 shots.
Salmon Arm had a strong showing from their top line of Alex Gillies, Evan Anderson and Landon Smith. Anderson and Smith each took home a pair of points as Gillies scored a single. Adam Clark got the nod in goal, and looked better and better as the game wore on, make 35 of 40 saves.
Salmon Arm and Merritt remain close in the standings, as a point seperates the two. Merritt is 8-7-1-0 while the 'Backs are now 7-5-1-1, meaning the Cents have the one point edge heading in to Sunday afternoons matinee with the Trail Smoke Eaters.
Merritt's powerplay was 1-for-6 on the evening, while Salmon Arm went 1-for-9.
It was a feisty game, with many infractions being called before they boiled over as the officiating crew held the two teams tight on a leash. Perhaps the leash became too tight when Devin Oakes was tossed for a hit to the head in front of the Salmon Arm bench, which resulted in Coach Luke Pierce also being ejected for his reaction toward the referee.
Shaw Centre in Salmon Arm will be the venue of the next meeting, which is coming up October 27th, a game which can be heard live on Q101 30 minutes prior to puck drop.
The Centennials welcome a struggling Smoke Eater team at 4:00 PM on Sunday, the second time this season the Smokies visit the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena.
Parents Weekend continues with the 19th Annual Icebreaker being held on Saturday night at the Merritt Civic Centre, an event feature dinner, entertainment, and a casino for everyone in attendance.
