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Game Preview: January 26th vs Merritt Centennials

Venue: Nivola Valley Memorial Arena

Game Time: Friday January 27th @ 7pm

 

Entering the game with one win in their last eight games, the Prince George Spruce Kings (19-20-3-2) will take on a  Merritt Centennials (18-18-8-2) team that PG hasn’t lost to in two meetings this season. Prince George had their season opener against Merritt, with the game ending in a 2-2 draw. A few weeks later, it was the Spruce Kings picking up their first win of the season in a 7-2 thumping of the Cents at the BCHL Bauer Showcase.

The visitors are coming off a tough weekend in Wenatchee that saw them drop both games, but can take solace in the fact that both were close games. That will prove extra important down the line as the Wild looks like a very potential first round opponent for the Spruce Kings.

On specials teams, the Merritt Centennials have been one of the top teams this season, and are currently 2nd in the league, just 0.01%. behind the Wenatchee Wild. The PG power play has slowed down since racing out after the Christmas break. They are 1 for their last ten, and were 0 for 4 down in Wenatchee. Both teams are 2 for 10 against each other this season when up a man.

While both teams have good stats when leading after two periods (PG (14-1-1) and Merritt (14-3-1) both have a pair of wins when trailing after two, and you can bet this game will go down right to the wire. Merritt is 2-2 in their last four games, and are coming off a 5-3 loss to the Trail Smoke Eaters on Wednesday night.

 

BROADCAST LINKS

WATCH on HockeyTV

LISTEN on Mixlr

 

STANDINGS:

Prince George still holds a playoff spot, but the hopes of catching Langley appear to be dropping. The division rival has rattled off wins against top teams in the Wenatchee Wild, Powell River Kings, and Chilliwack Chiefs putting them 12 points ahead of the Spruce Kings. PG does hold two games in hand, and will play Langley three more times this season which are likely to prove vital. The Spruce Kings have won just one game in 2017, but head into a weekend that will see them play two teams they’ve beaten this season (Merritt and Salmon Arm) and the Vernon Vipers who had a tough time taking down the Northern squad a few weeks ago.

In the Interior, the Centennials are right in the middle of a thick race for the 3, 4, and 5 slots. The Vernon Vipers appear to be pulling away in second, while the Salmon Arm Silverbacks are a ways back in 6th. With a .500 record in regulation, Merritt is two points behind the Trail Smoke Eater for third, and one point ahead of the West Kelowna Warriors who sit in 5th.

 

WHO TO WATCH:

PRINCE GEORGE:

Tanner Campbell – FWD:  His first career 3-point game came against the Merritt Centennials earlier this season, and PG would love to see Campbell repeat that. His three assists helped earn an honourable mention for the BCHL player of the week. Since returning from an injury that kept him out two months, the skilled forward ended that drought in Wenatchee scoring and adding a helper in the teams final game of the double header.

Liam Watson-Brawn – DEF: It was an empty net goal, but Liam Watson-Brawn will take them whatever way he can get them. His first BCHL goal came in the Bauer Showcase, and it was into the awning cage with 1:59 to go in the third. Joe Martin may have been slightly optimistic pulling his goalie down 6-2, but LWB won’t be complaining. The defenseman has the longest streak on the Spruce Kings without a goal at 28 games, and would surely like to end that against the Cents.

 

MERRITT:

Brett Jewell – FWD: The only player to score against Prince George in both games this season, the Spruce Kings will need to shut him down this time around. He had a helper as well in the first game, and leads all Cents in scoring against PG this season. Lately he has been on a cold spell with just one point (a goal) in the last eight games.

Cade Gleekel – FWD: Currently on a seven game point streak with eight points, and 19 points in his last 16 games Gleekel has emerged as a consistent offensive threat for Merritt. His eight power power play goals rank second on the team, and shutting down the Centennials man advantage which ranks 2nd in the BCHL will be vital for Prince George.

 

UPCOMING SCHEDULE:

Spruce Kings @ Salmon Arm Silverbacks – Saturday January 28th, 7pm –  Shaw Centre

Spruce Kings @ Vernon Vipers – Sunday January 29th, 2pm –  Kal Tire Place

Spruce Kings @ Surrey Eagles – Thursday February 2nd, 6:30pm

 

Merritt