It’s a first versus second showdown in Merritt tonight, as the first place Penticton Vees (11-2-0-0) visit the second place Centennials (8-4-1-2) at Nicola Valley Memorial Arena; game time is 7 PM.
The Vees are coming off just their second loss of the season Saturday, dropping a 3-0 decision to the Nanaimo Clippers at home, which ended their nine-game win streak. It was the Vees first shutout loss at home since February, 2013. Merritt is coming off a 4-3 come-from-behind win in Salmon Arm on Tuesday. Down 2-1 to start the third period, the Cents’ rattled off three unanswered goals to stun the Silverbacks.
its a big game tonight as only three points separates these two teams in the standings; the Vees do have two games in hand however.
This is the third of seven meeting between the Vees and Centennials this season and the second already in Merritt. Two weeks ago the Vees came back from two goals down, twice, to beat the Cents’ 4-3 in overtime; Mitch Meek scored the game-winner. The Vees also won back in Penticton on October 7th, 5-1, as they swept that Thanksgiving weekend home-and-home with Merritt. After tonight, these two teams don’t meet again until November 19th back at the SOEC.
If last season was any indication, the Vees know how to bounce back after a loss. Last season the Vees were a perfect 7-0-0 coming off a loss and outscored their opponents 35-12 in those seven games; they never dropped back-to-back games. Now, it’s a nearly an entirely different team with only six returnees but the culture remains the same and the Vees don’t want this to snowball on them. But Merritt won’t be an easy opponent, especially considering their success within the division.
The Centennials come in sporting an impressive 7-1-0-1 record against the Interior Division, with their only two losses coming against Penticton. At home, the Cents’ are 2-0-0-1 against the Interior. The Vees are undefeated within their division, sporting a 4-0-0 record and two of those wins have come on the road, including that overtime win in Merritt 13 days ago.
Penticton is coming off their first shutout loss of the season as mentioned and were only shutout once last year. Leading up to the goose-egg, scoring wasn’t a problem for the Vees as they had scored 21 goals in their previous five games; an average of just over four a game. Considering the confines and the how quick plays can develop in Merritt, a game at Nicola Valley Memorial Arena could be just what the Vees need.
When the Vees were last in Merritt it was Nolan Hildebrand who started and he picked up his second career win, stopping 25 of 28 shots. Mat Robson started all three games last week, winning two of them, so it’s not certain who will get the call between the pipes tonight. Jacob Berger started three of the last four games for Merritt, winning all three, but it was Colten Lancaster who last faced the Vees on October 8th. The goaltending matchup should be an intriguing one.
Penticton has been a third period team this year and it wasn’t more evident than the last time they were in Merritt with that two-goal rally to force OT. So far, the Vees are a plus seven in goal differential in the third period. Only Nanaimo and Surrey have a better differential. Merritt’s worst period in terms of goals for and against has been in the third where they own an even rating. Their best period is the first, as they’re a plus five and they had a two-goal lead on the Vees last time out.
According to the Merritt Herald newspaper, the Cents’ will likely have one of their top defenceman missing tonight. Michael Faulkner picked up an upper-body injury Tuesday in Salmon Arm and the article said he likely miss this weekend’s games. The 20-year-old has six points in 14 games and has logged important minutes on the Cents’ blue-line.
Penticton was without Gabe Bast (upper-body) and Jacob Kamps (lower-body) last week but Kamps has practiced regularly this week and appears to be ready for action; the Vees line-up is likely a game-time decision.
One player the Vees will have to keep tabs on is Merritt forward Zach Risteau. The Minnesota product has goals in three straight games and four points during his three-game point streak. Cade Gleekel, another Minnesota native, has been hot of late too. Gleekel has a goal and six points in his last three games, shooting to the top of the Cents’ scoring race. After being marred in a six-game pointless drought, Tyler Ward has three points in his last two games for the Cents’.
Fans can tune-in to the pre-game show starting at 6:40 PM on EZ Rock AM 800 and they can watch online at www.myhockeytv.com. On the radio broadcasting we will hear from the voice of the West Kelowna Warriors, Trevor Miller, and our player profile feature tonight is defenceman Mitch Meek.
