The Merritt Centennials found themselves down early, and weren’t able to climb back into the game in a 6-3 loss against the Grizzlies.
The Grizzlies had gone 2 full games without scoring a goal, but they broke that slump just over a minute into the game with Henri Schreifels beating Marshall at the 1:08 mark to give the Grizz the early edge. Cody Monds would add to the lead at the 7 minute mark of the first and that seemed to wake the Cents up from their slumber. Already outshooting the Grizzlies, the Cents poured it on with 17 shots in the first period, but were unable to solve Joe Howe who was terrific in net for the Grizzlies. Shots after 1 were 17-8.
In the second period, the Centennials looked to get themselves back in the game after Hunor Torzsok deflected a Talon Zakall shot in from the point. Unfortunately, the Cents gave the goal back on the very next shift and Victoria restored the 2 goal edge 3-1 for the end of 40 minutes of play. Shots after 2 were 28-16.
The final frame saw the Cents push at times, but not to the degree required to get back in the game. The Grizzlies would open the scoring in the period at the 6 minute mark, but this time it was the Centennials who answered on the shift after the goal with Kagan sneaking one past Howe. Victoria was able to answer back later in the frame, and Talon Zakall notched his 2nd goal in 3 nights as to bring the Cents within 2, but with the net empty the Grizzlies leading scoring Schreifels would add another to ice the game for the 6-3 final. Final shots were 39-24. Tanner Marshall allowed 5 goals on 19 shots.
After the game, Derek Sweet Coulter said the Cents need to be willing to go to the dirty areas.
“We were trying to get too much from the outside tonight. We need to go to the front of the net, take some shots, pay the price, be good team mates and then we will start seeing results.”
The Cents will look for a better result tomorrow against the Surrey Eagles. Puck drop 4pm.
