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Vees Fast Start Leads To Loss

The Merritt Centennials skated with the Penticton Vees through the final 40 minutes, but a 4 unanswered in the first from the Vees helped them to a 6-2 win.

The Vees were able to get after the Cents early and often in the first period. Conner Hutchison opened the scoring just 4:08 into the game, and a four minute stretch midway through the first led to 3 more goals from Drew Elser, Jay O’Brien and Danny Weight. Ryan Winter was peppered in his first period of a full start 16 the Cents 10.

Danny Weight added to the Vees lead at the 6:20 mark, and despite some solid play, possession, and effort from the Cents they weren’t able to pull through until a late penalty to Carson Kosobud. With the Cents on the powerplay, they were cycling the puck around well. Thomas Manty found Talon Zakall in the high slot and he unleashed a shot that got tipped by Payton Matsui along the way to get the Cents on the board. The Cents through 16 shots of their own on net in the 2nd period and after 2 led the shot totals, 26-23.

In the 3rd period frustrations started to show for the Centennials as the penalties started to pile up and the Vees scored shortly after one expired. Payton Matsui got his 2nd of the game shorthanded after surging down the left wing, pulling to his backhand and sliding it five hole on Stankowski. That would be as close as the Cents would come, falling 6-2. Final shots were 33-32 Vees.

After the game Assistant Coach Zach Wright said the team just needs to play that full 60.

“We saw a solid 40 tonight, but we weren’t good enough in the opening frame. We need to put it all together and be ready for tomorrow.”

The Cents look to end their losing streak against the Eagles on Saturday night at home.