Post Game: The Merritt Centennials, (15-16-2-1), fell short against the visiting Coquitlam Express, (8-25-1-2) on Thursday night.
What was supposed to be a 7 pm puck drop, turned into a 9:15 puck drop as the Express had to take their time on the highway due to major winter conditions, and what usually is only a 3 hour trip for them, turned into a 7.5 hour trip to Merritt.
The Express rolled into town around 8:30 and at 9:05 both teams hit the ice for a short warm up, and by 9:15 the puck had been dropped to start the game.
The first period was quiet as there were no goals and only one penalty for both teams; Brayden Szabados from the Express got the first penalty of the game, and he sat for two for slashing, and towards the end of the first, it was Brad Cocca that went off for two for tripping.
The second was more fast paced as the Express quickly jumped up to a 2-0 lead by just four minutes in, those goals coming from Joshua Bruce and Joshua Wildauer, both on the power play. Just a few minutes later, the Express jumped up to a 3-0 lead thanks to Colby Pederson. Just a few minutes later, the Cents got onto the board thanks to Ashton Stockie who was set up from Joey Berkopec; Stockie getting his sixth of the year.
The Express jumped up to a 4-1 lead in the third before Tyrell Buckley got his sixth of the year, with Zach Zorn getting his 20th assist of the season, and helping the Cents get a power play goal for this game, but the Express scored late to seal the game 5-2 and win the late game.
The next game for the Centennials is also against the Express, but this time it’s over in Coquitlam, the next home game goes on Saturday January 6th when the Salmon Arm Silverbacks, (13-21-3-0) come to town.
You can listen to the next game on Q101 Merritt with Jared Thomas having the call, pregame goes at 6:45 with puck drop at 7!
