Strangled By The Snakes, Merritt's Skid Now At 6

Vernon's 2nd and game-winning goal by Knisley (courtesy of John O'Connor/Merritt News)

It wasn't as dominant as last weekend, but the Cents put up a heck of a fight (figuratively and literally), only to be stymied again offensively and burned for their mistakes defensively

• the 1st period was very evenly played, with both teams having spurts in the offensive zone and both goaltenders looking very sharp (Steel and Halcrow). Both teams had a couple of brain farts in their own zone, but the goalies were there to bail out their respective team

• to continue the "bad luck" storyline, Vernon got a very lucky bounce off a skate to draw first blood, when 16 year old rookie Riley Hunt got a loose puck on the right hashmark, which he was able to snap over Steel's blocker between the post and crossbar to give the Vipers a 1-0 lead (Hunt's 1st goal of the BCHL). It was the 6th straight game that Merritt surrendered the 1st goal during this skid, and also would wind up being the 6th straight goal they didn't get a 1st period goal

• the 2nd period was also quite even, and the Centennials looked hungry when they were given the 1st power play of the game. They looked dominant and determined working the puck around, until Evan Stack finished off a bit of a broken play in the slot to get the Cents on the board and on even grounds. The PP goal was a big one to break the 1 for 22 funk, including an 0 for 10 funk. It was the 13th goal only in the past 9 games, the 12th by the 1st line

• with the game up for grabs, the Cents got their 2nd power play but couldn't figure out the formula that made them successful the first time... in search of their first lead since Jan 21 vs Victoria, they were denied time and time again by Halcrow and the Vipers aggressive dmen (and even forwards)

• right after Tyler Steel made 2 remarkable stops back to back on Nowich (one on a clear cut breakaway), as the lead hung in the balance, Chanter fanned on a clear around the boards, and his turnover led to Sparrow centering for an open Nowick who went back door to Knisley (pictured above) for a 2-1 Vipers lead... again ZERO chance for Tyler Steel

• as if that wasn't enough of a kick in the groin, the Vipers would cash once more VERY late in the 2nd period, as Michael Zalewski muscled his way out of the halfwall past Chanter and into the slot, and wired a perfect shot from the left hashmark over the glove of Steel, giving the Vipers a 3-1 lead with just 1.5 seconds left... this was the mental nail in the coffin for Merritt, and they could never recover

• the 3rd period was not what the Centennials were after. The Vipers struck quickly on an amazing, individual play by Darren Nowick (best player on the ice tonight) as he walked around a sprawled out Marshall and dodged the check of Sabourin before circling the goal and finishing off a backhand wraparound past Steel to make it 4-1. This was the end of the night for Steel, who was frustrated upon getting pulled, and understandibly, not getting much help on the goals against him or offensively. Chimienti finished the night strongly making all 6 stops he was asked to, including a couple of real tough ones

• offensively, the Centennials didn't have much mojo left in the 3rd period once they got down 4-1, and I believe they only had 1 shot or so through the first 5 minutes, for a total of 6 in the period. Because things weren't going right offensively, the Cents turned to physical intimidation to deal with their frustration. The 3rd period saw 3 separate fights including Harper, Maktaak and Marshall. Marshall's last fight resulted after he was egged on my Turner Lawson during a stoppage, and it was the longest and most spirited of the bunch, with both guys getting plenty of shots in

• the win for the Vipers was their 5th in a row, and they will get a chance to make it 6 tonight in Chilliwack, which is also a chance to take sole possession of the 4th and final playoff spot in the Interior Conference, before the Cents and Vipers meet again, one final time, back in Merritt on Tuesday

*if Prince George beats Trail tonight and Salmon Arm tomorrow, they will knock out Merritt from their 2nd seed for the first time in about 3 months (with equal games played at that point). Both Chilliwack and Vernon are knocking on Merritt's door as well, entering Saturday 6 points back of the Cents with 2 games in hand. The playoffs are suddenly far from a guarantee as the Cents get set to host the Vipers on Tuesday night!

Here are the highlights from Merritt's final game of the season in Vernon (sorry for the new, big, bulky, strange media player. I personally don't like it, but it's been forced on me by soundcloud, and I'm currently investigating to see if there's a way to switch back to the old player):

Merritt @ Vernon Feb 10 Highlights by agreb21