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Game Day Preview: Cents @ Wild – Sept. 21

The Merritt Centennials (1-3) look to stay hot tonight against the Interior Division leading Wenatchee Wild (4-0-0-1).

The Centennials are coming off their best effort of the year thus far last night that saw them pick up their first win of the season. After surrendering an early powerplay goal, the Cents tied the game when Brett Roloson batted home a rebound. The Warriors regained the lead when an odd bounce at center sprung Lucas Cullen in all alone to make it 2-1 Warriors. After that Ryan Winter and the Centennials settled down, but couldn’t find the scoresheet in the remainder of the first. The Cents started the 2nd period on the penalty kill again, but this time killed it perfectly and it led to a huge momentum swing that saw Merritt on the forefoot for the majority of the period. For the first time this season, three newcomers combined for a goal with Troy Quinn feeding a pass up the wall, Matt Osadick floating an area pass forward for Manty, and Manty roofing it glove side on the powerplay to tie the game. The game went to the third tied at 2 and the Cents came out on a mission to win, their pressure paid off with a knuckle puck goal from Daniel Tkac and a bank play off the end boards between Joey Berkopec and Payton Matsui to give the Cents a two goal edge that they didn’t relinquish for their first win of the season 4-2.

The Wenatchee Wild opened the season with a 3-1 against the Merritt Centennials and since then haven’t really looked back. After starting the season with cautious optimism, the Wild now find themselves atop the Interior with wins against West Kelowna, Vernon, and Trail since the season opener. Their lone blemish is a shootout loss at the hands of the Vipers that came last weekend. Last night they were able to handle the now 7th place in the Interior Smoke Eaters by a score of 3-1. Brett Chorske and Brian Adams scored in periods 1 and 2 to make it a 2-1 game heading into the third, and much like the season opener against the Cents it was a late empty netter by Adams that was the difference maker.

The Cents are looking to avenge their home opening loss tonight. In that game, Vincent Guy opened the scoring on the powerplay, but the Wild Captain Adams tied the game late in the first. In the second, Cafarelli dangled in and beat Winter short side on the powerplay, and despite a push by the Centennials late in the game, the Wild hung on with an empty netter to win the game 3-1.

The Wild haven’t been blowing teams out of the water en route to their early Interior Division lead, they’ve been winning tight one goal games. Other than some empty net insurance, every game Wenatchee has been involved in this season has been a one-goal game. The Centennials are looking to build on their first win, and their first game where they potted more than 3 goals.

The special teams battle sees the teams split the difference once again as the Cents continue to roll on the powerplay, but the Wild have been solid on the PK.

Powerplay:                                    Penalty Kill:

Cents – 23.5% (6th)                  Cents – 72.7% (14th)

Wild – 5.6% (16th)                     Wild – 90% (4th)

After what feels like an offensive explosion, the Cents are now led by Daniel Tkac with 4 points, while Brett Roloson and Troy Quinn have 3 apiece.

The Wild are led by Nick Cafarelli with 6 points, while Captain Brian Adams and Tyler Young have 4 points.

The goaltender duel sees Ryan Winter starting to bounce back, but he now has Tanner Marshall waiting in the wings. Winter is 1-3 with an .899 SV% and a 4.09 GAA. Marshall spent last year with the Brooks Bandits and was 12-0 with a 1.33 GAA and a .925 SV%.

The Wild have been riding Daniel Chenard so far this season. He is 4-0 with a 1.77 GAA and a .941 SV% – he is also a former National Champion.

Assistant Coach Derek Sweet Coulter said after last night that he wants to see the energy carry over to tonight’s game.

“I felt some of our guys reached another gear, and that along with our overall pressure is what I want to see us bring against Wenatchee.”

The Cents will look to bring the energy tonight and string together their first two wins of the season.

Puck drop 7pm from the Town Toyota Centre in Wenatchee. Pre-Game 6:45 on Q101 and Hockey TV with Jared Thomas.