Cents bitten by Bulldogs 7-2

The Merritt Centennials skinned the Victoria Grizzles 4-1 Saturday night at the Q Center. Cents goalie Cole Kehler made 33 saves in the win while Matthew Galajda had 24 saves in the loss.
The Cents work their way up the Interior Division standings with the win, only two points behind the Vernon Vipers. Merritt has 45 points to Vernons 47. Zach Court, Nick Fidanza, Nick Jermain and Colin Grannary all scored for Merritt.
The Cents came out of the gate shooting, much like last nights game against the Cowichan Capitals. The Cents were putting quality chances towards Galajda and nearly scored in the first three minutes off the game. Galajda somehow managed to keep his paddle down. Merritt’s speed advantage was evident early.
The 2nd period opened up with a bang. Zach Court scored the first goal off the game off a Colin Grannary set up. Less than a minute later off the faceoff, Nick Fidanza scored off a Devin Padgham slap shot from the left point. With Merritt up 2-0 the Grizzlies tried to get momentum swinging in their favor, resulting in the first penalty of the game to Dante Hahn almost halfway through the game. Coincedental roughing minors took Nick Fiorentino and Braeden Cross off the ice. During that time Brett Sterling added the first goal for Victoria to bring the Grizz within one.
The Merritt Cents penalty killers would get their chance to shine in the 3rd period, killing off three straight penalties. With the Grizz unable to capitalize on their chances Victoria tried crashing the net and punching the puck through Cole Kehler. Kehler had his best work in the 3rd stopping everything that came his way and deflecting all the rebounds into the corners. Merritt again took advantage of their speed as Zak Bowles streaked across the left wing to get a shot on Galajda. Trailing on the play, Nick Jermain picked up the rebound and roofed it over Galajda for the 3-1 lead. Colin Grannary would score the empty netter to ice the game.
Merritt plays next on Sunday against the Alberni Valley Bulldogs. Puck Drop is at 2pm, pre game begins on Q101 starting at 145pm