The Merritt Centennials continued to be mystified by the Prince George Spruce Kings and that trend continued on Friday night in a 5-0 loss.
After a strong first period that saw the Cents throw 11 shots on rookie netminder Kobe Grant to just 5 for PG it was looking like the Cents were finally ready to buck the PG curse. Josh Dias continued his strong play as one of the 5 saves of the periods came on the breakaway against Simon Labelle.
The second stanza didn’t see the Cents carry on with their offensive pressure as PG picked up an early goal just a minute in from Rowan Miller to make it 1-0. Late in the frame the Cents had a chance to get things going on the powerplay, but it was Andrew Seaman spoiling the party and scoring shorthanded to make it 2-0. Shots after 2 were 18-16.
The Cents very much had a winnable game at the opening of the 3rd period if they could get some early offense, but it was ex-Cent Christian Buono who tallied within the first 22 seconds to make it 3-0. That would spell a bit of a downturn for the Cents as Prince George would add two more markers from John Herrington and a late one from Captain Mason Waite on the powerplay to make it a 5-0 final. Final shots were 35-19 PG.
After the game, Head Coach Derek Sweet-Coulter admitted to being a little perplexed as to why PG continues to have the Cents number.
“It’s a little puzzling, and a little frustrating as a coach. You know that the team can do it. They’ve proven it against the Chiefs, but we can’t seem to bring that same strong effort and intensity against the Spruce Kings.”
The Cents will look to bounce back tomorrow night against the Chilliwack Chiefs.
Puck drop 5PM.
