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Preview: Vees look to return to win column in Merritt

Photo Credit: Ian Webster/Merritt Herald

Photo Credit: Ian Webster/Merritt Herald

Penticton, BC: The Penticton Vees (6-0-0-1) remained undefeated on the season after their 2-2 draw in Vernon last Saturday, but the team will look to increase the number in the win column tonight as they head to the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena to play the Merritt Centennials (3-7-1-0).

Last Saturday, Nicky Leivermann and Grant Cruikshank scored power-play goals in the second period to jump out to the lead against the Vernon Vipers. Vernon got one back before the period was up, and tied the game with six minutes remaining in the third period. The Vees took eight penalties in Vernon, including one in double overtime, but went a perfect 8-for-8 and tied Vernon after 70 minutes.

The Centennials, meanwhile, were in action on Wednesday when they travelled up to Prince George to play the Spruce Kings. Merritt had a 2-1 lead heading into the final frame, but Prince George tied the game in the third period and needed just 17 seconds of overtime to win 3-2.

While Merritt currently sits in last place in the Interior Division, the team has picked up some steam lately. After an 0-6 start, the Centennials have gotten seven of a possible 10 points over their last five games. Merritt goaltender Jacob Berger has been busy through the first month of the season; he currently sits first in the BCHL in minutes played by a goaltender with 568.

Tonight’s game is the second meeting of the season between the two teams. In the first game of the season the Vees travelled to Merritt and came home with two points after the 4-2 win. Nolan Hildebrand started in net, making 26 saves for the Vees while Owen and Lucas Sillinger, Jonny Tychonick and Taylor Ward provided the offence.

Tonight’s broadcast can be heard on EZ Rock AM 800 with Craig Beauchemin and Scott Austin beginning with the pre-game show at 6:40. You can also listen online by clicking on this sentence, or watching live on www.hockeytv.com.

Team Stats

Leading scorers

Penticton Vees

Owen Sillinger – 3 G 4 A 7 GP

Nicky Leivermann – 2 G 5 A 6 GP

Cassidy Bowes – 2 G 4 A 7 GP

Merritt Centennials

Nicholas Wicks – 3 G 6 A 10 GP

Henry Cleghorn – 2 G 6 A 10 GP

Zach Zorn – 4 G 2 A 10 GP

Power Play

Penticton Vees – 22.0% (T-6th in BCHL)

Merritt Centennials – 13.5% (16th in BCHL)

Penalty Kill

Penticton Vees – 90.2% (2nd in BCHL)

Merritt Centennials – 79.7% (12th in BCHL)

Head to head

September 8, 2017 Penticton 4 Merritt 2 – Boxscore