The Merritt Centennials are entertaining at home as they host the best team in the BCHL tonight, the Penticton Vees. Puck Drop is at the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena at 7pm, pre game begins on Q101 at 6:45pm.
The Cents haven’t played a game since January 20th, a 5-5 draw with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks. Merritt is looking to get back to the win column for the first time since the Cents defeated the Wenatchee Wild on January 17th. Merritt currently sits at 6th in the Interior conference with 15 wins and 26 losses on the year, a total of 34 points with 3 OT losses and a draw. The Cents currently are 5 wins back from the Vernon Vipers, who are in the final playoff spot with 43 points on the year. With only 13 games left in the season, the Cents will need to string some wins together to make their playoff dreams a reality.
The Vees have punched their ticket to the BCHL post season however, posting the best record in the league with 39 wins against 5 losses. The Vees last game was in Wenatchee, a 3-2 victory over the Wild on January 23rd. Penticton will be looking for their 6th win in a row tonight. Penticton currently has the number one and two leading scorers in the league, with Scott Conway leading the league at 89 points and Tyson Jost at second with 73.
Merritt’s leading scorer Colin Grannary (24 goals, 37 assists, 61 points) is coming off a strong performance at the CJHL Prospects Game, where he was named the Player of the Game for his Team West.
This is the sixth match of the year between the clubs, with Penticton winning all 6 matches so far.
Tonight is NVIT Night at the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena – students of NVIT can show a valid student ID to get into tonight’s game for free.
Puck Drop is at 7pm, pre game beings on Q101 beginning at 6:45pm.
