FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Trail, BC – September 1, 2012
The Merritt Centennials closed out their 2012 BCHL exhibition season with an 8-3 loss against the Smoke Eaters in Trail Saturday night.
The Cents got goals from Richard Sabourin at 4:19 and Bennett Huber at 17:38 to take a 2-1 lead after 20 minutes of play.
Kurtis Klinger gave Merritt a 3-1 lead before the Smoke Eaters scored three times in the middle frame and it was 4-3 Trail heading into the 3rd period.
In the final stanza, the Smokies continued their offensive attack and notched four more goals for an 8-3 final. In addition to Sabourin, Huber and Klinger's goals, Brendan Lamont finished the night with two assists while Michael Sandor, Danton Heinen, Stephen Ryan and Ryan Lisowsky each had single helpers for the Cents.
Russell Sanderson started the game in goal for the Centennials and allowed one goal. Phoenix Logan-Hill played the second half of the game for Merritt, giving up seven goals in taking the loss.
Netminder Lyndon Stanwood started for Trail, allowing all three Cents goals while Braden Krogfoss came on in relief and stopped all shots he faced.
SCORING SUMMARY
First Period
1. TRA Garrett McMullen (Brent Baltus, Scott Davidson) 0:27
2. MER Richard Sabourin (Michael Sandor, Danton Heinen) 4:19
3. MER Bennett Huber (Brendan Lamont, Stephen Ryan) 17:38
Penalties: Brendan Lamont MER (interference) 5:25; Sean Maktaak MER (hooking) 8:18; Matt Alexander TRA (slashing) 9:15; Tanner Clarkson TRA (cross-checking) 19:51
Second Period
4. MER Kurtis Klinger (Ryan Lisowsky, Brendan Lamont) 2:32
5. TRA Djordje Leposavic (Brent Baltus, Scott Davidson) 11:18 PP
6. TRA Braeden Jones (Scott Davidson, Garrett McMullen) 15:35
7. TRA Garrett McMullen (unassisted) 19:08 (sh)
Penalties: Ryan Lisowsky MER (tripping) 10:48; Jake Lucchini TRA (hooking) 17:47
Third Period
8. TRA Djordje Leposavic (Mitch Foyle, Jake Lucchini) 3:44
9. TRA Matti Jmaeff (Scott Davidson, Brent Baltus) 8:30
10. TRA Bryce Knapp (Braeden Johnson, Jake Lucchini) 12:46 PP
11. TRA Garrett McMullen (Brent Baltus, Scott Davidson) 13:53
Penalties: Matt Alexander TRA (high-sticking, roughing), Alex Holland TRA, Kevin Lohan MER, Rhett Willcox MER (roughing) 5:09; Dylan Chanter MER (unsportsmanlike conduct) 12:25; Diego Cuglietta MER (charging) 19:25
Shots On Goal: Merritt: 8-14-16-38; Trail: 8-15-14-37
With the loss, Merritt's exhibition record finishes at 1-2-1 and the Centennials look to trim their player numbers down to 22 before Tuesday's BCHL roster deadline.
The Cents next game is Saturday as they open their 40th season of junior 'A' hockey at the Save-On-Foods BCHL Showcase in Chilliwack against the Prince George Spruce Kings. Game time is noon and tickets are just nine dollars each for adults.
For further information, please contact Cents Head Coach and GM Luke Pierce at 250-378-3607 or email [email protected].
Follow the Cents on Twitter at @BCHLCentennials and on Facebook.com/MerrittCentennials.
Season tickets are still available for the 2012-13 season. For more information on how to get yours, call the Cents Marketing office at 250-378-3604.
The Merritt Centennials, proudly celebrating 40 seasons as the BCHL's longest continuously run franchise, are a non-profit, community owned Junior 'A' Hockey Club run by a dedicated team of investors, directors, and volunteers.
