The Merritt Centennials (10-22-1-3) get set for game two of the double header against the West Kelowna Warriors (6-23-5-2) tonight.
The Merritt Centennials were spurred on by the play of Ryan Winter in net and Christian Buono up front en route to a 6-2 victory last night in West Kelowna. Rylan Van Unen started the game off with a bang when he scored 29 seconds in from the corner below the goal line off the pads of Derrick and in to make it 1-0. The Warriors were able to quickly answer to make it 1-1. Ben Ward battled his way to the front and was spotted by Evan Benwell, Ward took a couple cracks and then roofed it to make it 2-1. Joey Berkopec wheeled down the right wing, drove the slot, and put it on a platter for Wyatt Marlow who sniped top corner to make it 3-1 and chase Derrick from the net with under 10 minutes gone in the frame. Coach of the Warriors Brandon West called a time out, swapped goaltenders and the Warriors responded by pushing play for the remainder of the first. The Warriors would score on the powerplay to make it 3-2, but the Cents would escape the first with a lead.
The second period saw a much more even keeled contest with the Cents regaining their form. Neither team could solve the goalies as Ryan Winter stood on his head making a couple of game changing saves to keep the Warriors at bay. The Cents got an opportunity on the PP late in the frame, and after squandering the first minute thirty they were able to get in on a good final rush. Rylan Van Unen played cross ice for Payton Matsui, who found Christian Buono in front to make it 4-2.
In the third, the Centennials played the right way with the lead. Christian Buono added another powerplay goal after tapping in the back door pass from Joey Berkopec who drove the zone with speed. The Cents had a couple key stops from Winter in the final frame, and Buono added an empty netter shorthanded to complete the natural hat trick and ice the game late. Final Shots were 40-34 West Kelowna.
The season series now sits 3-0 in favor of the Cents and Merritt has outscored the Warriors 15-6 over those games with wins of 4-2, 5-2 and now 6-2. The Cents will need another solid performance from their goaltender tonight, and play to the level they’re capable of in front of their home town fans.
Christian Buono’s stat line got a bump as he scored a hat trick last night and leads the team offensively with 27 points. Payton Matsui picked up an assist last night on a Buono goal and is up to 24 points. Thomas Manty will be looking to bump a mini slump as he sits at 18 points.
The Warriors are still led by Cristall, Evans and Cullen with 21 points as the Cents managed to keep the top threats of West Kelowna off the score sheet last night.
The special teams battle sees the Cents starting to find some success once more before the Christmas break.
Powerplay: Penalty Kill:
Cents – 10.7% (17th) Cents – 72.8% (17th)
WK – 16.7% (12th) WK – 74.7% (15th)
Ryan Winter is coming off a sensational start that saw him stop 38/40 shots thrown his way. He picked up his elusive 3rd win of the year and is now 3-10-2 with a .902 SV% and a 4.06 GAA with 1 shutout. Tanner Marshall is waiting in the wings with a 6-10-1 record an .882 SV% and a 4.55 GAA.
Johnny Derrick got chased from the game early, and the team could see Brock Baier again. Baier is 3-11-4 with a .889 SV% and a 4.10 GAA. Derrick is 3-11-1 with a .902 SV% and a 3.49 GAA with 1 shutout.
Head Coach Derek Sweet Coulter says the team needs to bring the confidence that was on display in the third period last night to the game tonight.
“We were playing with confidence in the third period and we need to bring some of that swagger into the game tonight.”
The Cents will look to put some more distance between themselves and West K tonight.
Puck drop 7pm from the NVMA. Pre-Game 6:45 on Q101 and HockeyTV with Jared Thomas and Michael Reeve.
