The Merritt Centennials and the Penticton Vees clash for the second time in two nights in the latter half of a home-at-home series tonight at the NVMA.
Last night it was the veteran laden Vees lineup that got the better of the Centennials. Despite a quick goal by Olson Werenka just 45 seconds into the game, David Silye scored before the 1:30 mark of the first and the tie would last until the end of the frame. The Cents pushed the pace in the first period drawing 3 penalties, but couldn’t convert on any powerplay opportunities. Shots after 1 were 8-8 with Aiden Hosein and Derek Krall allowing 1 goal apiece.
In the second the Vees ramped up the pressure and the Cents started to buckle. If not for some stellar play from Hosein and then Jakob Gullmes the Cents could’ve been in a lot worse situation, even so the Vees scored on a goal mouth scramble after Gullmes couldn’t cover a puck to the side of the net, the Vees fed it back to the point and Steve Holtz blasted a shot up high before Gullmes could get set. After two period of play the score was 2-1 but the Vees started to pull away on the shot clock 26-16.
The third saw the Vees continue to push for more, and the Cents youngsters started to show their age as they were running out of gas. The Vees got their 5th powerplay opportunity of the night and were finally able to convert. First round Flyers pick Jay O’Brien showed off some moves, cutting in from the top of the right circle and firing mid-blocker on Gullmes to make it 3-1. A deflection goal that would have made it 4-1 was called off and 3-1 would be the final.
The Cents went 0-5 on the powerplay, while the Vees were 1/5.
Head Coach Barry Wolff says the roster should slim down after last nights match up and tonight should feature a few more regulars at the NVMA as the Cents try and return the favour to the Vees in their first home contest.
Puck Drop 7pm at the NVMA. Entrance by donation. Jared Thomas and Michael Reeve with the call on Hockey TV starting at 6:55.
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