These two teams have already had good battles so far, as each won their own home openers in a back to back set to open up the BCHL season.
There will be a change in goal for the Centennials heading into this match-up, as they have released 20-year-old Anthony Pupplo, while signing 17-year-old WHL cut Cole Kehler. The right handed catching Kehler, went 3-14-2 for the Kamloops Blazers last season, posting a 4.65 GAA to go with a .855 save percentage.
The other netminder in the Merritt fold is 1998 born Coleton Lancaster, who played 43 minutes for the Warriors as an affiliate last season. He is 1-1, with a 5.69 GAA in 2 games this season for Merritt.
The Warriors will try to use their added size in the small confines of the Nicola Valley Arena, and see if their physical play can set the tone early. The defensive side of the game is always the key in Merritt, and it should be once again. West Kelowna is feeling good on that side of the puck, allowing just 1 even-strength, and 1 power play goal at the BCHL Showcase.
With the Interior Division in its usual tight state, these 4-point swing games are key to keeping momentum.
STATS PACK:
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Merritt
Centennials– 3-4 (5th Interior)
HOME – 2-2
ROAD – 1-2
(includes
Showcase Home/Road)
Top Scorers
Colin
Grannary (5 G, 4 A)
Zak Bowles
(3 G, 6 A)
Nick
Jermain (5 G, 3 A)
Gavin
Gould (5 G, 2 A)
GF – 26
GA – 34
PP – 7th - 7 for 33 (21.2%)
PK – 17th
– 19 for 30 (63.3%)
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West
Kelowna – 4-2 (3rd Interior)
HOME – 3-1 ROAD – 1-1
(includes
Showcase Home/Road)
Top Scorers
Jonathan
Desbiens (4 G, 3 A)
Liam
Blackburn (2 G, 5 A)
Garrett
Forster (1 G, 6 A)
Reed Gunville (0 G, 7 A)
GF – 25
GA – 18 PP – 1st - 9 for 29 (31.0%) PK – 22 for 28 (78.6%)
Next Game
– Saturday October 3rd – vs WENATCHEE – 7 PM
Royal
Lepage Place
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Head-to-Head Lifetime – West Kelowna
leads 42-14-1-4
West Kelowna is 19-8-0-3 in Merritt
2014/2015 Head to Head – West Kelowna
went 2-2-0-3 vs. Merritt
West Kelowna went 0-1-0-2 in Merritt
in 2014/2015
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