The Merritt Centennials (2-7) are hoping that tonight is the night they finally break the PG curse in the pod as they take on the Spruce Kings (5-3-1).
Last time out the Cents gave Josh Dias a rare night off, and Colton Phillips-Watts played admirably in his 2nd pod start, but the offense couldn’t get rolling in a 4-1 loss to the Chilliwack Chiefs.
The first period was as good as any from the Cents as they leveled 10 shots on net, didn’t make any trips to the sin bin and PW was able to shot all 11 shots he faced.
The 2nd frame saw the Cents and Phillips-Watts face a bit of adversity as Liam Tanner and Dawson Good scored in quick succession. To the Cents and PW’s credit they were able to steady the ship and start to fight back. Walker Erickson was able to make good on a rebound off a Jake McLean shot to cut the Chiefs lead in half. The Cents went to the final frame down by one.
The Cents were looking to come out of the dressing room blazing to make an impact early and start the comeback trail, but it was the Chiefs who would capitalize early. Anaheim Duck draft pick Ethan Bowen was able to fire a shot that was partially deflected to fool PW to make it 3-1. At the 8 minute mark, Mark Thurston took just the 2nd Cents penalty of the game then, and the Chiefs would capitalize off a Trevor Longo point shot to make it 4-1. The score would hold up as the eventual final.
Prince George is coming off a shootout loss in the first game that’s gone the distance in the pod so far. They were leading until the final 4 minutes of the 3rd when Chilliwack potted a quick 2 to tie the game and force extra curriculars. PG will be coming into the game with a chip on their shoulder, but so should the Cents as they’ve been shutout for over 120 straight minutes by the Spruce Kings. The Cents have yet to top Prince George in pod action and they will need their best effort to do so.
The Cents continue to be led by Jake McLean up front with 7 points. Matteo Pecchia has 6 points, while Jerzy Orchard and Talon Zakall have 5 points.
PG is led by ex-Cent Christian Buono up front with 11 points while fellow BCHL veteran Andrew Seaman has 9 points.
The special teams battle sees PG continuing to lead the pod.
Powerplay: Penalty Kill:
MER – 11.1% (15th) MER – 80% (9th)
PG – 17.8% (9th) PG – 91.3% (3rd)
Colton Phillips-Watts played admirably in his return to the crease last game, but after a night off we could see Josh Dias getting back into action. Dias is 2-5 with a .885 SV% and a 3.99 GAA. PW is 0-2 with a .830 SV% and a 6.37 GAA as his numbers continue to recover from his 1st start of the pod season.
Aaron Trotter and Jordan Fairlie have been splitting the crease for PG so far, but the Cents also gave up a shutout to Kobe Grant last game out. Trotter is 2-2 with a .934 SV% and a 1.58 GAA, while Fairlie is 2-1 with a .926 SV% and a 2.02 GAA.
Head Coach Derek Sweet-Coulter is hoping that the Cents finally have an answer for the Spruce Kings tonight.
The Cents are hoping they answer the bell with a win tonight.
Puck drop 5pm. Pregame 4:45 with Jared Thomas and Michael Reeve on BCHLTV.ca and Q101.ca.
