Date – Saturday, February 12, 2022
Game Time – Puck drop 7:30 pm
Location – Shaw Centre, Salmon Arm B.C.
Broadcast – Q101 & BCHLTV
Salmon Arm Silverbacks – 28-6-2-1
Merritt Centennials – 2-34-1-1
The Merritt Centennials will look to wrap up their weekend road trip with a win in Salmon Arm on Saturday night.
It was a wild first period in West Kelowna Friday night. The scoring started just 33 seconds in with Tyler Cristall beating Jackson Baker.
The Cents would respond with a rare powerplay marker, as Ben Ward would centre the puck from behind the net to Ashton Taylor beating Justin Katz to level the score.
Later in the double minor, West K would net a shorty to restore their lead courtesy of a break-away snipe from John Evans. Less than a minute later Christophe Farmer found himself behind the defence at top of the circles and beat Baker five-hole. That would be the end of Baker’s night, John Hicks in to replace him.
During a stretch of four-on-four play, Tyson Jugnauth would walk in from the point un-marked and beat Hicks high on the backhand.
Late in the period, Charles Alexis-Legault would receive a 5-minute major for head contact and a game misconduct for a hit on Ben Ward.
On the ensuing powerplay, the Cents benefit from own goal, credited to Ben Ward.
The Cents would take a hit from behind minor in the second frame, with Jakob Jones earning a 2 and a game misconduct for his hit. Just six seconds into the powerplay West K would strike with Cristall bulging the twine for the second time.
A mid-period scrum would see Jacksenn Hungle and Nick Roukounakis receive 10-minute misconducts.
Late in the frame, West K would score twice in 32 seconds to stretch the lead to 7-2.
The third period would see no scoring by either team. In the final minutes, Will Bowman and Felix Trudeau would receive roughing minors and misconducts and be sent to the room early. West K wins 7-2.
Salmon Arm enters play following a massive 8-2 win in Trail last night. Simon Tassy continues to lead the BCHL in scoring with 62 points. (32G, 30A)
Previous meetings;
The Cents and Silverbacks have played five times this season with Salmon Arm winning all five times. The two teams have however played some tight games this year.
Blue Paint Battle;
John Hicks has been playing well recently and is now 0-10-1 with a .889 SV% and a 5.34 GAA.
Jackson is 0-5 with a .833 SV% and an 8.88 GAA in limited minutes.
Special Teams Comparison;
‘Backs – PP 30.5% (1/18) PK 87.5% (1/18)
Cents – PP 10.5% (18/18) PK 65.9% (18/18)
By: Michael Reeve via Q101 Merritt
