Wednesday, June 19, 2013

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Centennials Blog

Cents are back in the series after a 4-3 win

Tuesday, 19 March 2013 18:11 Last Updated on Tuesday, 19 March 2013 19:14 Written by Graham Turnbull

It was fast, it was furious and it was entertaining at the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena last night. The Cents would get the game winner near the midway mark of the third period and take game 3 by a score of 4-3.

The Cents really fed off the crowd early, and dominated the first period. At one point the shots on goal were 16-3 for the Cents. 4 powerplay chances sure helped that, but the Cents couldn't get on the board despite some quality chances. Payton Schaefer would be ejected from the game for a blow to the head major penalty. I didn't think there was intent to injure, but anytime you get your hands up in the head area of a player there is a risk. The penalty kill had a huge challenge as the Warriors began the 5 minute powerplay, but with a few shots from outside, and missed passes the period would end scoreless.

The powerplay continued into the second period and once again the Cents were able to kill off the remaining time. That proved to be important as the Cents would get a chance on the man advantage and would finally get on the board as Regan Soquila slammed home a pass from the corner (from Silvan Harper) and the Cents led 1-0. The Cents would get another powerplay 17 seconds later and Derek Huisman would wire a wrist shot past Tyler Briggs to give the Cents a 2 goal lead (from Tyler Martin and Regan Soquila). The Warriors as they have throughout their unbeaten streak, refused to go away and Ambrose Firkus would get them on the board as he would one time a shot past Steel (from Matt Berry and Matt Anholt). It was an undisciplined period for the Warriors as they would take another penalty and once again Merritt would make them pay as Dylan Chanter would let a well placed wrist shot go from the left circle getting through Briggs and it was 3-1 (from Pare and Fletcher). It was then the Cents turn to take an undisciplined penalty late in the period and Marcus Basara would re-direct a slap pass past Steel (from Josh Monk and Max French) and at the end of 2 periods the game was 3-2.

The third was a balanced affair, but the Cents would get a man advantage early, but couldn't get much going on it. That would motivate the Warriors as Daniel Gayle would score his second of the playoffs to tie the game up (from Seb Lloyd and Matt Berry). The game wouldn't be tied for long as a lucky bounce off the referee would allow Jeff Wight two chances to put the puck past Briggs (from Diego Cuglietta and Scotty Patterson) and the Cents led once again 4-3. The Warriors would get a late powerplay but some good goaltending from Steel prevented West K from getting the equalizer. There would be a few scraps towards the end of regulation as Josh Monk laid out Regan Soquila with a late hit, Brendan Lamont would step in and drop the gloves with Monk in a spirited tilt. Shortly after that Regan Soquila would drop the gloves with Seb Lloyd. The Warriors would then pull Tyler Briggs for the extra attacker, but the Cents would hold on to a 4-3 win and now trail the series 2-1.

Shots - Merritt 48 West Kelowna 32

Powerplays - Merritt 3 for 9 West Kelowna 1 for 4

3 Stars - 1) Regan Soquila 2) Jeff Wight 3) Matt Berry

Final Thoughts - This was exactly the type of game the Cents were looking to play. They played physical, yet relatively disciplined. They're powerplay was very effective and I thought it helped keep the puck away from their end. There was a definite edge to the game with the two fights late, and it shows these teams really don't like each other very much. Its hard to put into words the entertainment value that the fans at the Nicola Valley Arena were treated to. It was a great game between two great teams.

These two teams meet again tonight for game 4. All of the action can be heard on Q101 and Q101.ca starting at 6:30 with the pregame show, play by play starts at 7!

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Cents Now Behind 2-0 in series after 3-2 OT loss

Sunday, 17 March 2013 17:17 Written by Graham Turnbull

It was a way better effort and performance by the Merritt Centennials last night in Game 2, but couldn't take the win as West Kelowna scored on a powerplay midway through the first OT to take the game 3-2.

The Cents had their best period of the post season in the first period as they came out with speed, physicality and tenacity. The Cents hit a goal post but wouldn't be denied as Silvan Harper would score his first of the playoffs on a nice wrap around (unassisted). Tyler Steel kept the Warriors off the board by making an enormous save off of Marcus Basara in the slot and getting a little help from his friend the post.

The second period was more evened out and early on the Warriors forecheck would cause a turnover in the corner and Daniel Gayle would put home a pass from the corner to make it 1-1 (from Ambrose Firkus). The majority of the period was played 5 on 5 and you could really see how even these two teams were when they played up to their potential. Both goalies had to be very good in the middle stanza, but after 40 minutes the game was tied 1-1.

The Cents would get a powerplay late in the second, that carried over into the third. Less than a minute in, an intended pass from Regan Soquila bounced into the net past Tyler Briggs to give the Cents a 2-1 lead (unassisted). The Warriors really pushed after that and Ambrose Firkus was able to find some room in the high slot just past the midway part of the period and snap a wrist shot through traffic over Steel to tie it up at 2 (from Matt Berry and Reid Simmonds). Nothing was solved after that and this game would require overtime.

The Cents had an early powerplay in Overtime, but couldn't get anything generated. Ambrose Firkus had a great chance to end the game as he dangled through 3 Cents only to hit the post. The Cents would then find themselves shorthanded and Josh Monk would let a seeing eye wrist shot go through traffic which eluded Steel to end the game and give the Warriors a 2-0 series lead (unassisted).

Shots - Merritt 41 West Kelowna 39

Powerplays - Merritt 1 for 5 West Kelowna 1 for 7

3 Stars - 1) Ambrose Firkus 2) Brendan Lamont 3) Josh Monk

Final Thoughts - Game 1 would've been a lot different had the Cents played like they did in Game 2. I know a lot of people are going look at the fact that they still lost, but what a difference a day made and they sure put the effort in. I don't think the Warriors assumed it was going to be as easy as it was in Game 1, but they were pushed to the limit. Game 3 is shaping up to be a great game. Tyler Steel was very good in goal making several huge saves. Every line seemed to have jump and played well. They say a series doesn't start until a team wins on the road, the Cents will hope that doesn't happen until game 5.

Game 3 goes tomorrow night at the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena. If you can't make it to the rink, listen on Q101 or Q101.ca starting at 6:30 with the pregame show. Play by play is at 7!

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Game 1 Goes to the Warriors

Saturday, 16 March 2013 17:25 Written by Graham Turnbull

In the first game of the best of seven series, between the Cents and Warriors, it was the Warriors coming out on top of a 6-1 victory.

The first period, the Warriors came out firing and for the most part the Cents were able to weather the early storm, before Josh Monk scored his first of the playoffs parked right in front of Steel (from Marcus Basara and Devon Hascarl). The game evened itself out from a possession standpoint for the majority of the period, but the Warriors increased their lead late as Matt Anholt banked home a rebound (from Marcus Basara and Shawn Hochhausen) to make it two nothing after 1 period.

The second period was a much better period for the Cents as they carried the flow of play for the majority of the period, but couldn't solve Briggs or the goalpost for that matter. That would be costly as on a 2 on 1 the Warriors would increase their lead as Max French would score (from Marcus Basara). That seemed to really kill any momentum the Cents were able to create.

In the third period, just 10 seconds in before a carry over penalty expired Marcus Basara was able to snap a shot past Steel (from Seb Lloyd and Adam Plant). It would go down hill from there for the Cents. Brennan Clark would tally a goal on a broken play (from Shawn Hochhausen and Adam Plant). They would finish the scoring on a powerplay as Ambrose Firkus let a slap shot go from the high slot (from Daniel Gayle and Max French). The Cents were able to end the shut out bid late in regulation as Diego Cuglietta would tip in a shot from the point (from Richard Sabourin).

Shots - Merritt 36 - West Kelowna 34

Powerplays - Merritt 0 for 3 West Kelowna 2 for 7

3 Stars - 1) Marcus Basara 2) Tyler Briggs 3) Adam Plant

Final Thoughts - The score doesn't really indicate the game at all. It simply came down to the Warriors making good on almost all of their chances, and the Cents not being able to. Towards the end, frustrations boiled over for the Cents allowing the Warriors to get two powerplay goals. The Cents PK was a bright spot as was the line of Wight, Patterson and Cuglietta. Merritt will have to be much better in Game 2 on Saturday.

You can catch all the action on Q101 and Q101.ca starting at 6:30 with the pregame show.

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Cents Playoff Preview

Thursday, 14 March 2013 19:53 Last Updated on Thursday, 14 March 2013 19:55 Written by Graham Turnbull

The Merritt Centennials had a very successful 2012-2013 Season, finishing with a record of 31-17-3-5 for a total of 70 points.

Starting Friday the road to the RBC Cup begins and it begins in West Kelowna. The Centennials didn't win a game in the 7 game season series with a record of 0-4-1-2. The record doesn't indicate however how close the games really were.

Here's how the series broke down

Oct. 19 - Warriors 4 Cents 3 2OT - NVMA
Nov. 16 - Warriors 3 Cents 2 - Royal LePage Place
Jan. 16 - Warriors 3 Cents 2 - NVMA
Jan. 22 - Warriors 3 Cents 2 2OT - Royal LePage Place
Feb. 23 - Warriors 2 Cents 1 - NVMA
March 1 - Cents 3 Warriors 3 - Royal LePage Place
March 2 - Warriors 6 Cents 2 - NVMA

The Centennials powerplay really struggled against the Warriors going 2 for 34 - 5.9%. Their PK killed off 26 for 32 chances - 82.2%

Regan Soquila was the Cents top scorer. Here's a complete list of who had points in the series.

Soquila 2-4-6, Lohan 0-3-3, Harper 2-1-3, Fletcher 1-2-3, Pare 0-3-3, Lamont 0-3-3, Sabourin 2-1-3, Martin 1-1-2, Chanter 1-1-2, Huisman 1-1-2, Maktaak 1-1-2, Cuglietta 1-1-2, Wight 1-1-2, Birks 0-1-1, Johnson 0-1-1, Schaefer 1-0-1, Patterson 1-0-1.

Tyler Steel was in goal for all 7 games against the Warriors with the record of 0-4-1-2. GAA of 3.42 and a save percentage of .886.

To the Warriors, their powerplay converted 6 for 32 - 18.8%. Their PK killed off 32 of 34 - 94.1%.

Josh Monk led the way for the Warriors against Merritt. Here's a complete list of who had points in the series.

Monk 2-6-8, Basara 6-1-7, Hochhausen 1-5-6, Lloyd 1-4-5, Firkus 3-2-5, Pope 1-3-4, Clark 2-2-4, McKinnon 0-3-3, Tegtmeyer 0-2-2, Plant 1-1-2, Gayle 1-1-2, Anholt 2-0-2, French 1-1-2, Zarazun 1-1-2, Nardi 1-1-2, Bilous 0-2-2, Hascarl 0-1-1, Lashuk 1-0-0, Simmonds 0-1-1.

Warriors starter Tyler Briggs, started 5 of the 7 games with a record of 4-0-1-0. GAA of 2.20 and save percentage of .942.

Here is the 1st round schedule:

Game 1 - Friday March 15 - Merritt @ West Kelowna 7pm
Game 2 - Saturday March 16 - Merritt @ West Kelowna 7pm
Game 3 - Monday March 18 - West Kelowna @ Merritt 7pm
Game 4 - Tuesday March 19 - West Kelowna @ Merritt 7pm
Game 5 - Thursday March 21 - Merritt @ West Kelowna 7pm - if necessary
Game 6 - Friday March 22 - West Kelowna @ Merritt 7:30pm - if necessary
Game 7 - Sunday March 24 - Merritt @ West Kelowna 7pm - if necessary

You can catch all of the first round action on Q101 and Q101.ca starting Friday Night with the pregame show starting at 6:30, play by play at 7.

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Cents Drop Final Game of the season 3-2 in double OT

Sunday, 10 March 2013 18:54 Last Updated on Sunday, 10 March 2013 19:05 Written by Graham Turnbull

For the second straight night, the Cents had a chance to come away with two points, but could only get one, in the final game of the regular season.

The Cents faced adversity pretty much right off the hop as early in the first period Payton Schaefer would be sent off for Kneeing major and a subsequent game misconduct. The Cents had a 5 minute major to kill off and looked very good while doing it. The Vipers however got a lucky bounce and Mitch McAllister banked a pass off a Cents defender past Steel (from Bryce Eviston and Brendan Persley). The Cents took most of the period over after that, but couldn't get the game equalized.

In the second period, both teams were guilty of turnovers in their own end and had it not been for Tyler Steel and Danny Todosychuk, the game could've had a different end. Finally the Cents were able to get on the board as a seeing eye wrist shot from the left point from John Saunders found its way past Todosychuk (from Scotty Patterson and Sam Johnson).

In the third, knowing how important two points were, the Cents came out throwing everything at the Vernon goal. Jeff Wight was the recipient of a nice ricochet off the end boards and snapped a shot past Todosychuk (from John Saunders and Scotty Patterson) and the Cents and the important 2-1 lead. As it has recently the opponent was able to tie it up immediately. Andrew Tegeler would cut in on the left win on a 2 on 1 and snipe a wrist shot over Steel less than 30 seconds after the Cents got the lead (from Liam Board and Geoff Crisfield). This game as was the one before was destined for OT.

Both teams had great chances in the first overtime as Dylan Chanter fould himself wide open, beat Todosychuk, but couldn't beat the iron. The Vipers had the same problem as Craig Martin hit the post behind Steel. Overtime number two would be required and Brendan Persley would pot home a rebound to give the Vipers the win (from Andrew Tegeler).

Shots - Merritt 32 Vernon 30

Powerplays - Merritt 0 for 4 Vernon 1 for 4

3 Stars - 1) Brendan Persley 2) Andrew Tegeler 3) John Saunders

Final Thoughts - The Cents definitely played an improved game from the night before. At times I thought they looked more nervous than intense and it showed early. A common problem, which doesn't appear to have an answer is how teams can keep scoring right after the Cents take a lead. Its happened all too often and it is no doubt frustrating and puzzling. Goaltending was huge by both netminders. Tyler Steel making big saves and Danny Todosychuk doing the same. This was not the way Merritt anticipated heading into the post season, but will have a week to regroup and practice before round 1.

Next up for the Cents is a round 1 matchup against the West Kelowna Warriors. The Tribes win combined with the Cents OT loss means West Kelowna will finish second and take home ice advantage in the first round. Game 1 will be Friday Night at Royal LePage Place in West Kelowna. Time has yet to be determined.

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