The Merritt Centennials couldn’t overcome a much more determined Wenatchee Wild team in night two of a double-header down under, and were beaten 6-1.
The Cents started the game with some life in the first, but their efforts were quickly dashed after an ill-advised pinch at the blue line that resulted in a two-on-one on Austin Roden with Matt Gosiewski finishing it off to make it 1-0 just a minute and a half into the game. The second goal of the period went to the Wild as well, a seeing eye shot from the line on a delayed penalty call at the 15 minute mark made it 2-0 after 1. Shots after 1 were 13-10 Wild.
The middle frame didn’t see the Cents come out with much punch, as they were disunited and making mental mistakes. The Wild were able to capitalize scoring two more to make it 4-0, but they got into penalty trouble late in the second and the Cents would make them pay. Brad Cocca converted on a 5-on-3 powerplay for the Cents lone goal with the extra man on the weekend to make it 4-1 after 2. Shots after 2 were 29-18 Wild.
The night before the Cents were able to silent the house in the ‘minute to win it,’ but the Wild fed off the cheers tonight and scored 50 seconds into the frame to make it 5-1. They’d add another on the powerplay to make it a 6-1 final handing the Cents their most lopsided loss of the season. Roden stopped 35/41 in the loss. Austin Park stopped 27/28 for the Wild who snapped the Cents win streak at 4.
After the game, Head Coach Joe Martin said it was a reminder of what can happen if you take a night off in the Interior Division.
“I don’t think our team thinks they can coast to victory, but tonight proved what can happen if you decide to not give it your all. You don’t lost by a little, you lose by a lot.”
The Cents will hope to recapture the form that saw them win 4 in a row when they face the Vees on Friday night.
