The Merritt Centennials, (15-15-2-1), are going into the BCHL Christmas break on a high note. The Cents defeated the Nanaimo Clippers, (18-13-3-2), 4-2 on home ice yesterday.
The Clippers came into Merritt with a win over the Penticton Vees, (22-7-2-2) on Saturday night, spoiling the Vees teddy bear toss night, with a 4-2 win.
The Clippers opened up the scoring at 10:22 of the first period with that goal coming from Brady Lynn and took a 1-0 lead. At just 25 seconds into the second period, the Centennials managed to tie things up with a goal from Brendan Schneider, and assists drawing from Ashton Stockie and Zach Zorn. Just a minute and a half later, the Clippers retook the lead, thanks to Parker Colley, but that was it for the Clippers goals.
At 8:59 of the second, the Cents managed to tie things up once again, this time the goal coming from Matthew Kopperud, assists drawing from Chase Bell and Colten Gerlib.
The third period, the Centennials came out strong and it showed; at 12:57 of that period, it was Zach Zorn that got the Cents the lead, Nick Wicks and Matheiu Gosselin set that goal up for Zorn.
Brendan Schneider sealed the game for the Cents with just nine seconds left in the game, for a 4-2 Cents lead, Zorn setting up Schneider for his second of the game.
Austin Roden got the start against his former team, facing a total of 36 shots, while the Clippers goalie, Taz Burman faced a total of 31 shots.
The next Centennials game is, December 29th at home with a 7pm puck drop.
The Merritt Centennials would like to wish their fans, a very Merry Christmas from their coaching staff, staff, volunteers, and players.
