Team Sites
Follow the BCHL
BCHL

Cents Beat Trail 8-5

Merritt, BC – October 24, 2009

The Merritt Centennials scored twice in the first period and three more times in each of the second and third periods on their way to an 8-5 win over the Trail Smoke Eaters in BC Hockey League action Saturday at the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena.

Dustin Johnson had four goals, Andrew Pickering had four assists, Jeff Jones notched a goal and three assists while Matt Mazzarolo scored twice for the Centennials (6-9-0-1). Derek Hills added a single goal, his fourth in four games, and two assists in the win. Hills also now has seven points in his last three games. Mazzarolo now has three goals in his last two games.

Ben Matthews, Nick Sandor, Darnell Dyck, Sam Mellor and Scott Jacklin replied for the Smoke Eaters (4-13-1-1).

Keith Hamilton made 27 saves to pick up the win for Merritt, while Kiefer Smiley allowed seven of the eight goals on 45 shots in defeat for Trail.

The Centennials were 0-for-3 on the power play, but scored two shorthanded goals. The Smoke Eaters went 0-for-6 with the man advantage, scoring all five goals at even strength.

Merritt leapfrogs Quesnel into sixth in the Interior Conference. Both the Cents and Millionaires have the same number of points, but Merritt has one more win and a game in hand.

The Centennials next game is Tuesday in Salmon Arm as they look for their first road win off the season. Trail hits the road for their next game as they visit Williams Lake.