PHOTO: Ron Gallo
PRINCE GEORGE BC – A late goal from Ben Ward with three seconds left on the power-play was the game winner as the Merritt Centennials get their first win of the pre-season, defeating the Prince George Spruce Kings 2-1 on a Sunday afternoon at the Rolling Mix Concrete Arena.
1st Period:
NO SCORING
SHOTS:
9-5 PG
2nd Period:
MER: 4:07 into the period on the man advantage, defenceman Grayson Valente let a wrist go on the short side of Aaron Trotter off the crossbar and in to give Merritt the lead. Blake Astorino and Zack Dallazanna had the helpers on Valente’s first of the pre-season.
PG: At 17:21 of the 2nd, Andrew Seaman spun and let a shot rip through traffic and over the glove of goaltender Colton Phillips-Watts to tie the game at one. Corey Cunningham and Darwin Lakoduk had the helpers on Seaman’s 2nd of the pre-season.
SHOTS:
9-6 PG
3rd Period:
MER: At 19:57 of the third, the Centennials were able to convert on a late power-play. Ben Ward redirected a Grayson Valente shot through the wickets of Aaron Trotter to give the Centennials the lead and the game winning goal. Valente and Talon Zakall had the assists on Ward’s first of the pre-season.
—
Final Score: Merritt 2 Prince George 1
Final Shots: Merritt 17 Prince George 25
Colton Phillips-Watts: 24/25 saves for Merritt (1-0)
Aaron Trotter: 15/17 Saves for Prince George (1-1)
Merritt Power-Play: 2/6
Prince George Power-Play: 0/4
3 Stars:
1st Star: Grayson Valente (MER 1 G 1 A)
2nd Star: Andrew Seaman (PG 1 G)
3rd Star: Ben Ward ( MER 1 G)
Fortis BC Energy Player Of The Game: John Herrington (PG)
