The Merritt Centennials lost 6-2 to the Penticton Vees on Friday night at the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena. Merritt goalie Colton Lancaster had 48 saves in the loss while Zachary Driscoll`s 33 were enough to earn him his 14th win of the year.
Merritt was out of the gate hot, jumping on the Vees in the first and drawing first blood. Mitch Lipon’s 12 of the year came off an interception by Colin Grannary in the neutral zone, Grannary setting up Lipon on the wing. The Vees would answer three minutes later, when a Taylor Ward shot barely squeaked through Colton Lancaster`s pad.
To start the 2nd, Dante Fabbro scored only 25 seconds into the period to give the Vees their first lead of the game. The goal came 7 seconds after the end of a Penticton power play. The Vees would keep up the puck possession and would get another goal from Scott Conway at 6:13. With Penticton up by two, the Cents would fire back and scored off another turnover, this time created by Nick Fiorentino. Grannary set up Zak Bowles on the wing and Bowles fired home his 14th of the year at 11:23. Two minutes later, however Easton Brodzinski retained Penticton’s two goal lead from a Colton Poolman feed at 13:44.
The Cents strived to even the game in the 3rd but could not wrestle the puck away from the Vees early. However, Merritt did create several chances late on Driscoll. Merritt’s offense could not find a goal, and with the net empty Dixon Bowen would have his 5th goal of the season at 18:56. Another goal was scored, not an empty netter, at 19:43 with Taylor Ward’s 2nd of the game and 4th of the year.
The Cents play tomorrow, January 16th in Wenatchee, for their one and only meeting of the year. Puck Drop is at 7:05pm, pre game will begin on Q101 at 6:50pm.
