Team Sites
Follow the BCHL
BCHL

Exhibition Preview: Cents @ Vees

The Merritt Centennials open up their exhibition season against long time rival Penticton Vees tonight at the SOEC at 7pm. The game will be available to watch on HockeyTV.

The Centennials will get their first taste of competition outside of their own team tonight after they played a very high paced, action packed intrasquad game on Wednesday night. Plenty of returning players got into the mix as well as a number of newcomers, but now the roster has been trimmed further with 35 players still competing to be a part of the opening day roster.

Reigning Playoff MVP Payton Matsui doesn’t look like he’s missed a step as he scored a natural hat trick in the game on Wednesday night. Newcomer Carson Preston from the BC Major Midget League’s Valley West Giants also looked impressive as he netted two goals including the OT winner. Returners Brett Roloson and Vincent Guy both also managed to find the score sheet and it served as a solid tune up for the returning defenders – Joey Berkopec and Talon Zakall as well as the trade acquisitions, Olson Werenka, Tanner Mortenson, Chase Nameth and Matt Osadick. Most returning players got an opportunity to show their stuff to new bench boss Barry Wolff save for Ben Ward and Daniel Tkac. However, it appears tonight will feature more players who are on the bubble of making the squad.

The Penticton Vees are coming off a 2-1 win in their first exhibition game of the season against the West Kelowna Warriors, but could inject some more veterans into their line up in front of a home town crowd.

Head Coach Barry Wolff says they’ll have to match the Vees intensity.

“We have to make sure that we match their compete level, you know at home they’re going to ice a good line up. We might be a little younger than they are, but we need to make sure we rise to the occasion, play smart defensively, and try and win the game.”

The Centennials will make additional releases after tonight’s game before tomorrows home contest against the same Penticton Vees at the NVMA at 7pm. Entrance one again will be by donation.