MERRITT LEADS THE SERIES 2-0
The Merritt Centennials took care of business in the Nicola Valley, and now it's time for them to prove that they can replicate that success on the road in a hostile environment.
In terms of execution, it's hard to ask for much more if you're a Centennials fan. They were dominant in pretty much every aspect of the game on Friday and Saturday, and even though the 2 games weren't necessarily blow-outs, the Centennials did win with some emphasis and effectively sent a message for the rest of this series.
It's worth noting that the Centennials are currently the 2nd hottest team in the league/playoffs, having won 5 in a row dating back to the regular season. The only team to eclipse that mark is Powell River, who have won 6 in a row including a 2-0 series lead over Coquitlam. It's fair to assume that the great finish to the regular season prompted this great playoff start for both teams. Meanwhile, you have to wonder if the regular season finale 5-2 win over Penticton left the Spruce Kings a little overconfident.
It's expected that Lino Chimienti will get the start in goal for the Centennials again tonight, as he has proven himself to be a reliable playoff performer after a dismal postseason last year vs Salmon Arm. Through 2 games, Chimienti has been a big factor in allowed just 2 goals total (although there was a disallowed goal for PG in game 1), but his team is really committing to the "team defense" concept as well.
For the Prince George Spruce Kings, Ty Swabb has shown a pattern of starting great but unraveling a bit in the 2nd half of the game. For head coach Dave Dupas, it will be a tough decision to either hope that Swabb finds his consistency tonight, or switch, before it's too late, to the guy who carried the load before Swabb came in, Kirk Thompson (who finished the regular season with an identical 2.83 GAA and .906 SV%).
I mentioned before this series began that with so many similarities between the two teams, special teams would likely play a big factor. And despite the fact that Merritt came in cold on the power play and PG was red hot, the playoffs are a new season, and the Cents have proven that. In both games 1 and 2, they were up 2-1 and got a crucial insurance marker on the power play that allowed them to pull away. Overall, they've gone 2 for 7 on the power play, while Prince George has gone 0 for 7. Merritt's aggressive penalty kill deserves a lot of credit, particularly Lino Chimienti, who, as the cliche goes, was Merritt's best penalty killer between the pipes.
Also through 2 games, the Centennials have effectively frustrated the Spruce Kings in every category, particularly their top players like De Jersey, Ten Vaanholt and the Fitzgerald triplets. It seems that Chimienti's play, the Centennials aggressive defense and physical aggression has gotten into the Spruce Kings players' heads, and that can be a tough mental disadvantage to overcome
There's a saying that "you're never out of a series until you lose a game at home", so that's the angle Prince George will take, and an angle that Merritt has to realize as well in order to stay level-headed and not get overconfident themselves. Expect a different game in Prince George; it's a bigger ice surface and the crowd will be electric, as this is the best Spruce Kings team they've seen in many years, much like the fans in Merritt with their team. With a potential sell-out on their side and a bigger ice surface, the Spruce Kings will have a better chance to open the game up to their liking and play "their" game (allowing their skilled players to take over), which they could never do in the small confines of the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena. Much of the Centennials physicality was inspired by their rambunctious fans at home, so I would expect the Spruce Kings to play more inspired in all facets tonight as well in front of their passionate fans
(Home ice is a big factor in this series: the Cents went 19-6-0-5 in Merritt this year, while the Spruce Kings went 19-10-0-1 in Prince George; both teams winning 19 and losing 11 overall)
For the Spruce Kings, there is no shortage of motivation tonight. Having lost 5 of 7 games to Merritt in the regular season, and now the first 2 of the playoffs, they simply can not go down 3-0 and still expect to win this series. They will treat this game as "do or die" and come out with a lot of intensity off the opening faceoff, with lots to prove to themselves and their fans. The big challenge tonight for Merritt will be to match the Spruce Kings intensity and play the same game on the road as they did at home; something that is much easier said than done.
(The Spruce Kings are also planning to have playoff towels tonight. I believe theirs are white, and I think it might be first 1000 fans that get them as well. Considering it might be a sellout with 2000+, only about half the fans will have towels)
Despite 2 great games, the Centennials did not score in the 1st period in either of them, and gave up the opening goal in both of them. That can be referred to as "playing with fire", and with the Spruce Kings expected to have 2000+ fans in the Coliseum tonight, it will be a lot tougher to catch up in Prince George than it ever was at home. Therefore the start and the first goal will be more important than ever tonight. The Spruce Kings are looking to find some life and generate momentum, and if they score first and get the crowd going wild, that could be exactly what they need, and what Merritt doesn't.
*After the success of the last 2 games, there are no lineup changes for the Centennials. The lines stay exactly the same, with Tyler Martin and Scotty Patterson sitting out, and Lino Chimienti starting his 3rd straight playoff game and 4th straight overall. As for the Spruce Kings, we won't know their lineup or starting goaltender until we get to the rink later today.
Tonight's face-off is scheduled for 7 o'clock, but there is a chance the puck could drop closer to 7:15, as the Spruce Kings are planning a presentation with the "man in motion", Rick Hansen. Nevertheless, our pre-game show will get going at 6:30pm on Q101 FM in Merritt. You can also tune in online at Q101.ca or on the BCHL fanzone through BCHL.ca
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