The Merritt Centennials were in the driver’s seat for the majority of the game, but a strong finish from Trail saw the Smoke Eaters come back and grab the win 6-3.
The first period was a textbook frame of how to play at the NVMA spurred on by some timely offense. Affiliate Brett Mero from the Kamloops Storm scored his first BCHL goal, on his first shot, on his first shift just 3 minutes into the game to make the game 1-0. Linemate Christian Buono picked up where he left off before the break as he’d add another by beating Terness blocker side to put the Cents up 2-0. The Cents would also kill off two Trail penalties in the first frame, a far cry from the last time the two teams met where Trail put up 6 goals on 6 tries in the opening period. Shots after 1 were 18-14 Trail.
The second period saw the Smoke Eaters have to start on their heels due to the penalty kill. The Cents kept their feet moving to draw a pair of calls early on and Trail would score their first goal of the game even strength. Phillippe Lapointe would score on an off speed shot after his stick shattered as he released, and the change up slipped under the pad of Tanner Marshall. Marshall had some of his best play in the 2nd period where he made huge saves when the Cents were shortmanned. He flew across the crease to rob Trail on back door plays and was a big part of the Cents going to the third period up 2-1. Shots after 2 were 36-31 Cents.
Kent Johnson finally broke through early on in the final frame, scoring up top on Marshall after some head fakes from the slot. The goal would come just 20 seconds in, but Ben Ward would tie the game by stripping Johnson on the ensuing shift going down the ice, keeping on a 2-on-1 and sniping top corner glove side to restore the lead 3-2. Cody Schiavon answered for Trail to tie the game at the 5 minute mark of the third and there it would stay until just under the 5 minute remaining mark of the period. On their 5th powerplay of the night, the Smoke Eaters finally pulled through and it was Kent Johnson who scored low on a goal mouth scramble. From there the wheels fell off for the Centennials who allowed two more goals for a 6-3 final. Final Shots were 51-45 Trail.
After the game, Head Coach Derek Sweet-Coulter said special teams played a factor.
“I thought our powerplay looked really good tonight, but we couldn’t convert and we give them one too many opportunities. Overall we played well, we just need that extra push instead of pulling back.”
The Cents will look to push back in Trail tomorrow night – 7pm puck drop.
