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Game Day Preview: Cents @ Capitals -Dec. 14th

The Merritt Centennials (9-20-1-2) look to keep the good times rolling against the Cowichan Valley Capitals (21-11-3-1) tonight.

**6PM PUCK DROP**

The Cents are looking to replicate the effort they showed last night where they battled for the full 60 minutes and were rewarded with a regulation victory over the Powell River Kings to kick start their Island road trip with a 4-3 win.

Jerzy Orchard continued where he left off on Sunday by potting in a rebound to the side of the net to make it 1-0 3 minutes in. Payton Matsui found Manty for the initial shot from behind the net. The Kings were able to quickly answer, but then Cents to their first powerplay of the game where the Cents quickly scored. Once again it was Matsui, who from the half-wall was able to spot Captain Rylan Van Unen back door to make it 2-1. The Kings wouldn’t answer until late in the first when Jack Long would throw a puck on net from the corner and it would somehow find a hole against the toe of Marshall to tie the game 2-2 after 20 minutes. Shots after 1 were 14-12 in favour of the Cents.

The second period was largely uneventful until the final minutes. The Cents were able to kill of some early penalties, and were able to capitalize when they got the chance late in the frame. The Cents were about to go to a 2-man advantage when Head Coach Derek Sweet-Coulter saw a turning point and called a time out. After a great play by Werenka to keep it alive at the blue line, Matsui took the puck skated to the left side and sniped one top corner to give the Cents the 3-2 lead with 15 seconds left in the 2nd. Then with just 3 seconds left Hunor Torzsok got the tip in front to make it 4-2. Shots after 2 were 26-23 Cents. The Cents bent, but didn’t break in the third period and only allowed a powerplay goal, but hung on for the win.

The Cowichan Valley Capitals are far removed from the team that just squeaked into the playoffs last year in regards to points, but not in regards to identity. Former Cents bench boss Mike Vandekamp has the Capitals playing hard nosed hockey with heart, but now has some solid skill sprinkled in. They’ve been battling for top spot in the Island Division all season long, but the Cents are looking to play spoiler. In their last 5, the Capitals are 3-1-1 coming off a 3-2 overtime loss to the Alberni Valley Bulldogs last night. However, before that the Capitals had strung three wins together 5-0 over Salmon Arm, a 5-4 overtime win over Powell River, and a 6-4 win over the Bulldogs. Their last regulation loss came against the Victoria Grizzlies 4-3.

The Cents are starting to heat up offensively, and Christian Buono is coming off the team hard to play against award with 23 points. Payton Matsui is fresh off a 3 point night and has 22 points, and rookie Thomas Manty has 18 points.

The Capitals are led by Luc Wilson up front who’s 6th in league scoring with 39 points, defender Dimitri Mikrogiannakis paces the league’s defense with 37 points, and rookie Matthew Crasa has 30 points including 18 goals.

The special teams battle sees the Cents going up against one of the league’s best, but they’re starting to improve themselves.

Powerplay:                                      Penalty Kill:

Cents – 10.8% (17th)                 Cents – 71.4 % (17th)

Capitals – 25.2% (3rd)               Capitals – 81.8% (7th)

The goaltending duel sees Marshall coming off a win, but with 3 games in 3 nights the Cents will have to use both goaltenders at some point. Marshall is now 6-10 with an .877 SV% and a 4.64 GAA. Ryan Winter is 2-9-2 with a .906 SV%, a 3.96 GAA and 1 shutout.

Zach Borgiel is the go to goaltender for the Caps with a 15-7-1 record, a .903 SV%, 2.93 GAA, and 2 shutouts. He’s also picked up a BCHL Player of the Week nod for his efforts in the crease. Ben Howard is 6-4-2 with a .901 SV%, a 3.09 GAA and 1 shutout.

Head Coach Derek Sweet Coulter says the Cents have to continue to play bare bones hockey to be successful.

“Last night we were making the simple play more often than not and we were successful. We need that to continue and drill it in if we want to have continued success.”

The Cents will look to pick up a simple win tonight.

Puck drop 6pm. Pre-Game 5:45 on Q101 and Hockey TV with Jared Thomas.