The Merritt Centennials (2-10) get ready to do battle with the Chilliwack Chiefs (8-5) tonight.
Last night the Centennials had different plans when the puck dropped on the game, but at the final buzzer it was a 3-0 shutout at the hands of PG.
Things started fairly well in the first period with the teams trading chances 5-on-5 but no one finding the back of the net. It wasn’t until a holding call 8 minutes in that Prince George went to work on the powerplay and it was Christian Buono threw a slap pass of Corey Cunninghams stick to make it 1-0. Brandon Dent then took a hit that made head contact and received a 5 minute major and a game misconduct. On the powerplay, Nick Rheaume was able to add another for the Spruce Kings, but the Cents limited the damage to just one. However, the momentum swung soundly in PGs direction and the Cents couldn’t find an answer in period 1.
The 2nd period saw nothing going save Josh Dias keeping his team in the game. Making some big stops on breakaways and being the last line of defense. The Cents couldn’t muster much towards Kobe Grant.
The Cents rolled into the third period with a winnable game in their grasp, but it was Prince George adding some insurance as Kolton Cousins took a shot from the wall that took a bounce off a Cents stick and beat Dias up top. The team pressed late to try and break the shutout bid by Kobe Grant, but couldn’t do so. The Cents went 0/5 on the powerplay.
The Chiefs are coming off a loss at the hands of the Spruce Kings 5-2. A game that PG controlled from start to finish, but the Chiefs were able to capitalize on a couple of chances. Jackson Munro and Ray Fust scored for the Chiefs in the losing effort, but the Chiefs continue to be a banged up team with possibly more players on the sidelines.
The Cents are starting to see the injury bug ravage the team as multiple players are grinding through some bumps and bruises and some have been sidelined for the remainder of pod season. Jake McLean is the most recent casualty as he suffered a separated shoulder last night and will be unavailable for the remainder of the pod season, Jacksen Hungle suffered a similar injury earlier on in the pod as well. Josh Olson continues to nurse a bruised foot after blocking a shot, and Wyatt Marlow will be sidelined as well.
The Cents now led by Matteo Pecchia up front with 8 points and Walker Erickson with 7.
The Chiefs have Ethan Bowen leading in scoring with 12 points while Captain Kyle Penney has 11 and Tanner Andrew has the same.
Special teams sees the Chiefs with the edge.
Powerplay: Penalty Kill:
MER – 10.3% (15th) MER – 76.2% (10th)
CHW – 18.2% (11th) CHW – 83% (6th)
In net it will be a first BCHL start for Brayden Melnyk. He has some experience with the Chilliwack Jets of the PJHL where he went 0-3 with an .860 SV% and a 4.47 GAA. Colton Phillips-Watts will serve as the back up should he falter.
The Chiefs should see a return to Mathieu Caron after the had to take the weekend off to take some exams. Caron is 6-4 with a .907 SV%, a 2.40 GAA and 2 shutouts. Jakob Gullmes is 2-1 with a .903 SV% and a 3.03 GAA.
Head Coach Derek Sweet-Coulter says the team needs a solid start and to stay out of the box.
The Cents are hoping for a solid effort and a solid win tonight.
Puck drop 5PM. Pregame 4:45 with Jared Thomas and Michael Reeve on Q101.ca and BCHLTV.ca
