The Penticton Vees (9-6-2) are coming off a tough loss to the West Kelowna Warriors last weekend, but they’ve had plenty of success against tonight’s opponent the Merritt Centennials (12-8-0).
Face-off is 7 p.m.
Penticton holds a 3-0 record against Merritt so far this year and each game they’ve carried a big lead into the first intermission. On September 28 it was 4-0 Vees after the first period, and the other two meetings have been 3-0 after 20 minutes.
The Vees beat the Centennials 6-2 just last Friday.
Related: Vees take home a huge win against Merritt on Friday Night.
James Miller scored twice and and added an assist during the last meeting, bumping his totals against the Centennials this season to four goals and four assists in three meetings. Harrogate and Ryan Sandelin each have six points in the head-to-head matchup.
Merritt’s lack of discipline has paid dividends for Penticton during the season series as the Vees have scored seven power play goals on 20 opportunities in three games.
The Vees will be without forward Cole Shepard for the next few weeks as he suits up for Team Canada Red at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in New Brunswick.
Related: Penticton Vees forward earns assist in pre-World Under-17 Hockey Challenge game
In recent action last weekend the Vees, who are tied for fourth in the Interior Division, started strong against the West Kelowna Warriors leading 2-0 after the opening period. Scoring opening goals were Brendan Harrogate and Cole Shepard, but the Warriors battled back to tie the game after two periods before adding three more in the third, including an empty netter, to take the game 5-3.
Meanwhile the Centennials, who have owned the top spot in the division for weeks took on Island Division leaders the Victoria Grizzlies. They won that game 4-2 with netminder Vincent Duplessis making 37 saves.
Following tonight’s game the Vees will load up and jump on the bus to begin the long trek to Prince George for a Saturday night game against the Spruce Kings.
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