The Merritt Centennials renewed rivalries with the Penticton Vees for the first time in two months, but the result didn’t go their way – a 2-1 loss in a shoot out.
The goalies were on full display in the first period. Jack Lafontaine was the busier in the first frame turning aside 17 shots, while Austin Roden was equal to the task of 9 shots.
The 2nd period saw the tenders continue to be the main attraction, but the Cents were able to get to Lafontaine 5 minutes into the frame. The Vees started the period with all kinds of pressure on the Cents, but with their first escape out of the zone the Cents were able to make it count. Nick Wicks broke up the right wing with Brad Cocca streaking to the net. Wicks hit Cocca with the pass, and Cocca found a hole in Lafontaine to open the scoring in the game. However, the goaltending duel quickly resumed and no more goals would be found in the 2nd. After 2, the shots were 27-24 Cents.
The final frame saw the Cents try and ride the storm out, but the Vees kept coming wave after wave. Penticton got a late powerplay, and opted to pull the goalie for the extra attacker. The Cents killed off the penalty, but with 40 seconds remaining a shot from Cassidy Bowes found its way through the crowd past Roden.
In overtime the teams traded chances with the extra man, but nothing was solved so the game went to a shootout. Final shots after regulation and extra time were 40-39 in favour of the Cents.
Through the first 3 shooters no one could beat the goalies. In the 4th round, Nick Wicks beat Lafontaine, but Lukas Sillinger was able to beat Roden to make the shootout carry on. It went all the way until the 10th shooter when Jack Barnes finally beat Roden to make it a 2-1 final.
After the game, Assistant Coach Brandon Shaw said that the game came down to a tough break.
“It looked good towards the end, but it’s controlled chaos in those final minutes and we ended up having one go through, but you can’t hang your head on it.”
The Cents have now picked up points in 8 straight games, but have lost in OT in the last 3.
ENERGY PLAYER OF THE GAME: Christian Sabin 0G 0A
3RD STAR: Brad Cocca 1G 0A
2ND STAR: Austin Roden 38/39
1ST STAR: Jack Lafontaine 39/40
