Centennials handle Vipers 3-1 at home

The Merritt Centennials took a big win over the Vernon Vipers Tuesday night 3-1. The Cents move within 4 points of the Vipers of the final playoff spot in the Interior Conference.
Vipers goalie Brendan n Brady made 34 saves in the loss while Cole Kehler picked up his 15^th win of the year off 29 saves.
Merritt opened strong and controlled the first five minutes of the game. Several chances were put towards Brady but it was a turnover caused by Nick Jermain that ended up in Michael Faulkner’s fourth of the year. The Vipers woke up after the goal, evening up the shot tally but not the game until another turnover. Riley Brandt put home the feed from Hunter Zandee at 12:48 of the 1^st period.
The 2^nd period was marred by penalties. Both teams played aggressive looking for the edge in the tie game. After a few big hits from Riley Brandt of the Vipers and Brett Jewell of the Cents, the refs would take control. Bo Pellah and Henry Cleghorn were sent for misconducts at 11:31, followed by Mac Ferner and Nick Fiorentino at 12:13. After a final warning from the refs about play after the whistle, Callum Volpe and Zak Bowles were both sent for misconducts, with Volpe also picking up a high sticking call. Christian Cakebread would also get assessed a minor for cross checking at 19:33 of the 2^nd. The Cents were unable to capitalize.
In the 3^rd, the Vipers would sent two to the box within a minute, when Latrell Charleson picked up a roughing call and Bo Pella haws sent for cross checking. The Cents couldn’t score on the 5-on-3, but kept the pressure on. Late in the frame, Merritt got a bounce from the hockey gods. Michael Regush, in an attempt to center the puck from behind the net, got a bounce of Brady’s pad and the go-ahead goal. Vernon would put the edge on to try and tie the game, pulling their net with three minutes left in the game. At 18:01. It would be Brett Jewell with the empty net goal to ice the game for Merritt.
Merritt is now four points behind Vernon with 43 points on the year behind the Vipers 47.
The Cents play next on Friday, in Cowichan Valley against the Capitals at the Island Savings Centre. Puck Drop is at 7pm, Pre Game begins on Q101 at 6:45pm.