The Merritt Centennials (16-9-0-1) welcome the Trail Smoke Eaters (10-10-4-2) to the NVMA for the first meeting of the season.
The Centennials are coming off a bounce back 3-2 win over the Salmon Arm Silverbacks after falling earlier in the week to the Wenatchee Wild by the same score. The Cents got a gutsy performance from Austin Roden, who earned a 3rd star nod for stopping 24/26 shots. Nick Granowicz was in on all the offense as he finished the game with two shorthanded goals and an assits, Christian Sabin had the other goal, and Brad Cocca tallied two assists. Matt Kopperud could suffer some supplemental discipline after getting a five-minute major and a game misconduct for a high hit. The strange thing was that the call was made well after the hit, and only after the player was clearly hurt on the play. The Cents exchanged two shorthanded goals for, for two powerplay goals against on the major, but that was the most exciting moment of the game. Austin Roden held the fort in the third as the Cents hung on for the win, the only team to beat Salmon Arm in regulation this year, and the only team to do it twice.
The Smoke Eaters are starting to turn it around after a dreadful stretch of play that saw them lose 8 straight. They are 3-2 in their last 5, and every game has been a one-goal contest. Gone are the likes of highlight reel forwards Ross Armour and Kale Howarth, but the Smoke Eaters are still finding scoring throughout the lineup with 81 goals for through 26 games. The Smokies are coming off two wins this week against Vernon and Wenatchee by matching 3-2 scores.
The season series favoured the Cents last year as they went 4-2 against the Smokies. The teams combined for 40 goals over 6 games, so offense was not in short supply.
The Cents are hoping for more offense from Brad Cocca who has now moved to 2nd in league scoring with 37 points, Nick Granowicz is right behind him with 36 points for 3rd in the BCHL and with his two shorthanded goals last night, now leads the league in goals with 20, and Mathieu Gosselin still holds down the 6th spot with 32 points.
Trail is led by newly acquired Chase Stevenson and Carter Jones with 22 points, Braeden Tuck has 21, and rookie Kent Johnson has 20.
The special teams battle sees the Centennials looking to break a goal scoring slump with the extra man that has seen the go 0/11 in the last two games:
Powerplay Penalty Kill
Cents – 18.1% (10th) Cents – 76.7% (15th)
Smokies – 20.8% (4th) Smokies – 76.1% (16th)
The goaltending match up sees Austin Roden coming off a win against Salmon Arm. Now 10-5 with a .891 SV%, a 3.62 GAA, and 1 shutout. Vincent Duplessis is 6-4 with a .908 SV% and a 3.23 GAA. The Smokies have leaned on Adam Marcoux who is 8-10 with a .888 SV% and a 3.28 GAA while Tanner Marshall is 2-4 with a .884 SV% and a 3.22 GAA.
Head Coach Joe Martin says that despite the team losing some top end talent, the game won’t be easy.
“They may not have those two special players anymore, but they have a very balanced attack, with four lines that can bite you. We will have to stick to our game plan and be ready for them.”
For fans looking to get their hands on a limited edition Centennials Cancer Awareness Jersey you can do so when you pledge at least $10 towards your favourite Centennials in the Movember waxing challenge. Find Melanie in the Mezzanine tonight to make a pledge!
Puck Drop 7pm. Pre-Game 6:45 on Q101.1FM and Q101.ca with Jared Thomas.
