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The Merritt Centennials were winners in Vernon once again as they took a 3-2 decision in Kal Tire Place over the Vipers. Cole Kelher gets the win for the Cents, making 31 saves. Andrew Shortridge of the Vipers made 21 saves in the loss.
Colin Grannarys goal in the third period would stand as the game winner.

The Cents opened the scoring in the first off a powerplay marker. Jimmy Lambert of the Vipers would get a game misconduct for his hit on Gavin Gould, which would award the Cents a 5 minute powerplay. On that advantage, Tyler Ward’s shot attempt got picked up by Michael Regush, burying the puck past Shortridge. Merritt managed another goal in the 1^st, this time a shorthanded marker. Ryan Forbes, coming off a turnover, started a 2-on-1 with Brett Jewell. Deciding to keep, Forbes whistled a shot onto Shortridge, and plotted his own rebound.

Vernon answered back in the second, with a pair of powerplay goals off a game misconduct for Merritt. Zak Bowles would get a five minute penalty for a blow to the head with a game misconduct on a hit on Odeen Tufto. The Vipers scored a pair of powerplay goals in the 2^nd, the first getting past Kehler from a Latrel Charleson slap shot. Christian Cakebread made no mistake on the 2^nd, as a speeding Odeen Tufto came around the net and found an open Cakebread by the net.

The Vipers came out fierce in the third, working to take a lead in the final frame. The Cents would work with their experiences on their previous 3 games and take charge in the third. Colin Grannary would score the only goal in the frame, a spectacular effort with Grannary deking through two players to score the goal. The Vipers would empty their net and come on strong late, but the Cents would hang on and prevail for the 2 points.

Head Coach Joe Martin was happy with his teams effort, especially in the later frames. When asked if any specific player stood out for his squad, Martin praised his young players who saw more ice time in the third than usual. Martin also came back to his captain, Malik Kaila, for keeping the composure on the bench and helping his team focus for the win.
Merritt’s next game is on Saturday against the Trail Smoke Eaters, the last game before the holiday season break. Puck Drop is at 7:30 pm, pre game begins on Q101 starting at 7:15pm.