WHAT’S ON TAP
The Penticton Vees (28-6-0-1) close out 2016 tonight when they host the Merritt Centennials (12-14-2-7) at the SOEC; puck drop is 7 pm. The Vees and Cents’ haven’t played in nearly two weeks as both teams are playing their first game after the BCHL holiday break.
This is the fifth of seven meetings between the two Interior foes, as the Vees have won the previous four, including two in overtime. They last met back on November 19th at the SOEC, with the Vees eking out a 3-2 OT win. After tonight they play again in Merritt on January 13th and February 1st to close-out the season series.
LAST TIME OUT
Penticton had their five-game winning streak snapped just before the holiday break, losing 5-2 in Salmon Arm. It’s been nearly 14-days since that loss and the Vees will want to quickly put that in the review mirror with a win tonight. The Vees come into tonight’s match up with a very impressive 14-3-0-1 record within their own division; a big reason why they have a 14-point lead over second place.
Merritt has been in a bit of a funk in December, as they’re winless in their last five and sport a 1-2-1-2 record in six games this month, and have picked up three points in their last five games. The Cents’ closeout their December schedule tomorrow afternoon at home against Coquitlam.
HAPPY NEW YEAR
Penticton is looking to end 2016 the way they started it and that’s with a win. In it was January 1st, of last season, when the Vees scored a 6-0 win on the road at Kal-Tire Place. After tonight the Vees are at home again against the Trail Smoke Eaters on January 4th, their first “Wicked Wednesday” of 2017.
One New Year’s resolution for the Vees will be to get healthy, as they are still waiting on injured blue-liners James Miller and Gabe Bast, along with forward Jamie Armstrong. Miller is close to returning from an upper-body injury, same goes with Armstrong who had mononucleosis. Bast is still out indefinitely with a lower-body injury.
SCOUTING REPORT
After a solid start to the season, the Cents’ have hit a bumpy road over the last couple of months, as they’re 4-6-1-5 since the start of November. Some of their struggles can be pinned on their play away from home, as they’ve won just one road game in the last two months, sporting a 1-3-0-4 record away from Nicola Valley Arena.
Another sore spot as been extra time, as the Cents’ have won just once in 10 overtime games this season. They have one win, seven losses and two ties when games go past regulation.
Zach Risteau and Michael Regush are tied for the team scoring lead, as each has 27 points but Risteau has a team-best 16 goals. No player on the Merritt roster is averaging a point per-game. The Vees have one in Nicholas Jones who has 38 points in 35 games.
HEAD TO HEAD
Season Series
Oct 7th 5-1 Vees
Oct 8th 5-4 Vees (OT)
Oct 21st 4-2 Vees
Nov 19th 3-2 Vees (OT)
Dec 30th at Vees
Jan 13th at Centennials
Feb 1st at Centennials
Vees Scoring vs. Centennials
Chris Klack 2-3-5
Joe Leahy 2-2-4
Nicholas Jones 0-4-4
Mitch Meek 1-2-3
James Miller 1-2-3
Goaltending
Mat Robson 2-0 / 1.48 GAA / .939 SV %
Nolan Hildebrand 2-0 / 2.46 GAA / .911 SV %
Centennials Scoring vs. Vees
Henry Cleghorn 1-2-3
Mike Faulkner 1-2-3
Stephen Seeger 1-2-3
Zach Zorn 1-2-3
Michael Regush 1-1-2
Goaltending
Colten Lancaster 0-2 / 2.54 GAA / .927 SV %
Jacob Berger 0-2 / 6.75 GAA / .845 SV %
FASHION STATEMENT
Teams will now switch jerseys for home and away games, as they do after the holiday break. Home teams will now wear dark jerseys for the reminder of the regular season, with road teams wearing white.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Fans can listen to tonight’s game on EZ Rock AM 800 locally, or on the iHeartRadio Canada app for their iPhone, iPad, smartphone or tablet. If you’re streaming through your web browser, go to the EZ Rock AM 800 website. The game is also available via the BCHL webcast at www.HockeyTV.com
