The Merritt Centennials took a hit from the Trail Smoke Eaters Friday night, getting thumped 6-4 at Cominco Arena. With the loss the Cents are again held back from tying the Vernon Vipers for 4th place in the Interior Division.
Merritt Centennials goaltender Cole Kehler got the loss with 35 saves on 40 shots. In relief, Colton Lancaster saved 13 of 14 shots faced. Bailey MacBurnie saved 26 of 30 shots thrown his way.
The Smokies were the first on the board. Nolan Redler smacked one past Cole Kehler seven minutes in the first period. The Cents would ramp up the intensity, and Nick Jermain added a powerplay marker. With the game even, Spencer McLean took advantage of the rush to pop home his 3rd of the season. Merritt converted 1/3 of their powerplay opportunities in the first period.
Only one goal came in the middle frame, a Jake Kauppila goal off the rush. Merritt’s Nick Fiorentino took a roughing penalty halfway through the period but Trail could not add the powerplay marker.
Chase Bell brought Merritt to within one at 0:21 of the third period. Merritt strived to tie the game but the Smokies just kept turning up the heat. Cooper Sande, along with Jake Kaupilla and Kienan Scott, would put the game on ice for Trail.
The Cents are still in a position to make the post season, but need to win a pair of games at the same
time that Vernon loses a pair.
Merritt plays tomorrow night at home to the Alberni Valley Bulldogs. Puck Drop is at 7:30pm, pre game begins on Q101 at 7:15pm.
