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Teddy Bear Toss Preview: Cents Vs Clippers – Dec. 8

Photo Credit: Garrett James Photography

The Merritt Centennials (20-11-1-1) welcome the Nanaimo Clippers (12-17) to the NVMA tonight.

The Cents are coming off a gutsy win in West Kelowna where they got off to a great start, had a difficult second period, but then came back with a vengeance in the third to win it. Matt Kopperud supplied the early offense, tipping in a shot from Mattias Dal Monte in front just 2 minutes into the game. After the game was tied on a Warriors powerplay, Kopperud would answer with the Cents up a man, but Jackson Munro did all the leg work, dangling in from the point, and putting the puck on a platter for Kopperud with an open net. Vincent Guy would expand the lead under a minute later after he was set up by Daniel Tkac from the corner. The Cents third goal would chase starter Brock Baier in favour of Connor Hopkins, but Chase Dubois would get the Warriors back within striking distance before the period was over at 3-2. The Cents would get into penalty trouble (both up and down a man) and couldn’t get into a rhythm, and the Warriors stormed back to get a 4-3 lead heading into the third. However, in the third, it would be all Centennials as they outshot the Warriors 17-3, and got goals from Brendan Schneider to tie it, and rookie Brett Roloson to win it. Austin Roden picked up the win, and the Cents righted the ship on the road where they had lost 3 in a row.

The Cents return home looking to keep some of the momentum from the third period, and the last couple weekends alive. Overall, the Cents are the 3rd best team in the league at home with a record of 13-4, where they’ve outscored opponents 80-56. They’ll look to give the Nanaimo Clippers the same treatment in their lone visit to the NVMA this season. Last year the Cents and Clippers split the season series, with both teams winning at home. The Cents won 4-2 on home ice, but lost to the Clippers 3-1 when they visited Nanaimo.

The Clippers are mired in a 4 game slump themselves. Their last win came against the Cowichan Valley Capitals on Nov. 20 5-4. Since then they’ve fallen 4-2 to Victoria, 7-5 to West K, 3-0 to Coquitlam, and 5-3 to Prince George last night. However, before this losing streak, the Clippers were on a 5 game winning streak, so they are capable of playing solid hockey. For an Island team with a lot of turnover it will be a trial by fire in the NVMA. The only teams to win in the NVMA this year are Interior Division teams: Penticton, Wenatchee, and Vernon so the deck is stacked against the Clippers tonight.

The Cents got a balanced scoring attack last night, but are still lead by the same stalwarts up front. Brad Cocca was held off the scoresheet last night as was Nick Granowicz so they remain at 43 and 38 points respectively. Captain Nick Wicks is starting to turn it on and is the next leading scorer in the absence of Mathieu Gosselin with 33 points.

The Clippers are scoring by committee and are led by Ethan Scardina with 28 points, Joshua Borne has 19, and rookie Aiden Hansen Bukata has 18 points.

The special teams battle favours the Clippers on the powerplay, but the Centennials on the penalty kill:

Powerplay:                                      Penalty Kill:

Nan- 20.6% (4th)                            Nan – 75.6% (17th)

Cents – 16.4% (16th)                      Cents – 76.3% (15th)

In net, Austin Roden is coming off a win and is now 13-6 with a .899 SV%, a 3.34 GAA and 1 shutout. Vincent Duplessis is 7-4-2 with a .906 SV% and a 3.21 GAA. The Clippers have two options. Jordan Naylor is 8-11 with a .898 SV% and a 3.35 GAA. Landon Paylisin is 4-6 with a .887 SV% and a 3.99 GAA.

Assistant Coach Brandon Shaw says the Cents need to focus on the attitude they had in the third period against West Kelowna.

“I think if we channel that energy that we had in the third period and we should be fine against the Clippers tonight.”

A reminder that it is Teddy Bear Toss tonight, so bring a teddy to the rink and be ready to toss after the first CENTS goal! All proceeds go to the local Nicola Valley and District Food Bank. SANTA will be in the building, and Save On Foods is giving you a chance to win your holiday turkey early in a Turkey Bonspiel in the 1st Intermission.

Puck Drop 7pm. Pre-Game 6:45 on HockeyTV and q101.ca with Jared Thomas.