Date – Friday, February 18, 2022
Game Time – Puck drop 7:00 pm
Location – Nicola Valley Memorial Arena, Merritt B.C.
Broadcast – Q101 & BCHLTV
Cranbrook Bucks – 20-16-2-2
Merritt Centennials – 2-34-2-1
The Merritt Centennials will look to replicate their effort from last weekend in Salmon Arm tonight as they begin a weekend home-stand versus the Cranbrook Bucks, one of the two teams the Cents have bested this year.
The Merritt Centennials played a solid opening 20-minutes in Salmon Arm Saturday night. Their only mistake, giving the best powerplay in the BCHL two chances.
The ‘Backs would go 1 for 2 with the extra-man with leading scorer Simon Tassy netting his 34th of the season from a slap-pass from Mike Ladyman.
John Hicks would make a number of big saves to keep the score close, Salmon Arm leading 1-0 after 20. Hicks stopping 15/16 in the period.
It would be a pinball goal, but also a moment Liam Davidson will never forget as the young dman would fire on from the corner and score his first in the BCHL.
Just 23 seconds later Owen Desilets scored his first in the BCHL to restore the 2-1 lead. Nathan Morin would tack on another to extend the lead to 3-1.
Later in the frame, Mark Thurston scored his first of the season to bring Merritt back within one.
In the third, Merritt would score twice in 31 seconds to take the lead 4-3. First, it was Davide Patella on a jam play, the Thurston with his second of the night on a nice tip in front.
The Cents take two late penalties and the best pp in the league would make them pay, with Brandon Santa Juana tying the game at 4.
In overtime, Tucker Hartmann would work towards the front of the net and backhand one past Hicks to win the game for Salmon Arm 5-4.
Hicks stopped 56/61 in the losing effort, winning 1st star honours.
The Cranbrook Bucks come to town after just snapping a losing streak last time out. The Bucks have played four straight versus Vernon, winning just the final matchup 3-2 on Saturday. Despite just one win over their last five games, all five have been decided by a single goal.
The Bucks are led offensively by Tyson Dyck with 51 points (25G, 26A).
Previous meetings;
The Cents and Bucks have played twice this year with both teams picking up a single victory. In November, Merritt travelled to Cranbrook and lost 8-0. In January the Cents would win 3-2 on home ice thanks to a Ben Ward overtime winner.
Blue Paint Battle;
John Hicks has been playing well recently and is now 0-10-2 with a .892 SV% and a 5.31 GAA.
Jackson is 0-5 with a .833 SV% and an 8.88 GAA in limited minutes.
Cranbrook has been lea by Nathan Airey who is 13-11-4 with a .906 SV% and a 2.83 GAA. The backup is Evan Gartner at 7-5, .886 SV%, and 3.24 GAA.
Special Teams Comparison;
Bucks – PP 15.4% (17/18) PK 77.7% (14/18)
Cents – PP 10.9% (18/18) PK 66.0% (18/18)
