The Merritt Centennials (4-10) take on their arch rival the Penticton Vees (13-3-1-0) this afternoon.
For the first time this season the Cents have strung two wins in a row, and are looking to stay hot against perennial contender Penticton. On Friday night, it was a full team effort but the star that shone brightest was Ryan Winter with a 48 save shutout as the Cents went on to win 4-0. The Cents got a goal from Josh Kagan in the first period, Chase Nameth in the second, and Captain Rylan Van Unen in the third, before Thomas Manty iced the game with an empty netter. The Centennials are looking to take the positive results, and the positive attitude into battle against the Vees.
Penticton flew out of the gate to an 11-0 record, but showed they are human after dropping 4 in a row. However, this week they have righted the ship with wins over two talented teams. They topped the streaking Trail Smoke Eaters 4-2 on Wednesday, and pulled out a game in overtime against the Chilliwack Chiefs last night 4-3. The Vees have got some of their swagger back and it will be up to the Cents to match it this afternoon.
The Cents and Vees have met once already early on this season, and it was a humbling experience for Merritt as they lost by a score of 7-3. Rylan Van Unen, Brett Roloson, and Troy Quinn tallied in the losing effort, while Penticton went 3/8 on the powerplay and got goals from 6 different scorers. The depth of the Vees will be a tough test for the Cents.
Leading the Cents offensively is still Josh Kagan after picking up another goal on Friday with 14 points. Payton Matsui now has 10, while Brett Roloson and Daniel Tkac are tied with 9 points.
The Vees boast some offensive juggernauts in their line up including former first rounder Jay O’Brien who leads the team, and is 3rd in BCHL scoring with 25 points. Lucas Sillinger has 19 points and is 13th league wide, while Danny Weight has 18 points.
The special teams battle sees the Vees with the edge, and the Cents looking to bust an 0/50 slump on the powerplay.
Powerplay: Penalty Kill:
Cents – 6.3% (17th) Cents – 73% (16th)
Vees- 15.6% (13th) Vees – 85.1% (6th)
The goaltending battle sees both Cents netminders coming in hot. Tanner Marshall is 2-3 with a .878 SV% and a 4.01 GAA. Ryan Winter is coming off his 1st shutout and is now 2-7 with a .916 SV% and a 3.48 GAA.
Yaniv Perets has been the go to guy for the Vees early on, but they’ve just picked up another goaltender to help him out in the crease in Carl Stankowski. Perets is 7-3 with a .929 SV% a 1.76 GAA and 3 shutouts already this season. Stankowski got his first start last night and is 1-0 with a .897 SV% and a 2.91 GAA.
Head Coach Derek Sweet Coulter says the Cents need to keep the Vees on the outside.
“Penticton is a good team, we’ll have to keep them away from the middle of the ice and limit their chances for a chance at the win.”
The Cents will look to keep the Vees on the outside looking in when it comes to the win tonight.
Puck drop 2pm from the NVMA. Pre-Game show 1;45 on Q101 and HockeyTV with Jared Thomas and Michael Reeve. Tim Hortons will have free coffee, hot chocolate, and donuts on hand while supplies last in support of Merrritt Minor Hockey who will be out in full force! Timbits hockey in the first intermission, chuck a puck in the second!
