Jordan Soquila scored twice and added two assists as the Merritt Centennials stomped the Salmon Arm Silverbacks 8-4 in BC Hockey League action Friday night.
Stephen Wall, Derek Hills, Andrew Pickering and affiliate forward Lucas Blinkhorn each had a goal and an assist for Merritt (12-23-0-2). Jeff Zmurchyk, Daniel Chang and Mitch Jones chipped in with two assists each while Jeff Jones and Colton Sobchak each notched a goal. Silvan Harper and Alexander MacMillan each had an assist as all but five Cents players had at least a single point.
Corey Chakeen had a goal and an assist for Salmon Arm (19-14-2-2) while Charlie Vasaturo, David Killip and Josh Manson also scored for the Silverbacks.
Keith Hamilton made 19 saves for Merritt to record his fifth win of the season. Tony Ierfino stopped 24 shots in the Salmon Arm loss.
The Centennials finished 0-for-1 on the power play while the Silverbacks went 1-for-2 with the man advantage.
Merritt is back in action Saturday at home against Powell River. Salmon Arm's next game is also Saturday, at home versus Prince George.
News & Notes: The win is Merritt's first against Salmon Arm since November 28, 2006 and first at the Sunwave Centre in nine tries … The win snaps an overall seventeen game winless skid against the Silverbacks … F Dustin Johnson and F Alex Valenti sat out for Merritt with undisclosed lower body injuries … D Ryne Bodger remains at home with an illness, but has begun skating … The Cents are now on a modest two game road winning streak … The eight goals posted is tied for the most goals-scored this season, Merritt has done it twice previously, both times against Trail … Lucas Blinkhorn's goal was his first career marker in the BCHL … The Cents close out their pre-Christmas schedule with home games Saturday vs. Powell River and Sunday vs. Prince George … Sunday's game features a special tribute to long-time Cents fan Elva Reid.
