MERRITT LEADS SERIES 3-0
Well, who would have possible predicted this? Honestly, nobody, yet here we are. After 2 dominant games at home, the Centennials squeaked out game 3 in Prince George and now take out their brooms tonight looking to do unto Prince George what Salmon Arm and Penticton did unto them the past 2 playoffs.
Coming into game 4 in Prince George tonight, the Centennials are officially the hottest team in the BCHL. They have now won 6 straight games dating back to the regular season and are the only team to be up 3-0 in the playoffs, while every other series is at 2-1.
Yesterday the Centennials seemed a little nervous and a bit intimidated on the road, and were often times overwhelmed by the Spruce Kings skill. Prince George played their best game of the series and pushed Merritt to their brink, particularly the top 2 lines of De Jersey/Colantone/Khaira and the Fitzgerald triplets. They carried the play late in the 3rd and into overtime, but the fact that Merritt got good puck bounces on all 4 of their goals and pulled it out on Evan Stack's 2nd game-winner of the series will have some people suggesting that this is a team of destiny. And right now, it's hard to argue that.
On the Spruce Kings side, despite being down 3-0 and needing to win 4 games in a row to continue their season, they've been getting slowly better in this series and had a real break-out last night. So today, with their backs up against the rope, they will try to build off the positives of yesterday and establish some momentum, without thinking about the predicament that they're in. The team will be under intense pressure tonight from the hometown fans, particularly the top 2 lines again to produce, so they have no time to feel dejected or sorry for themselves, or this series will be over before 10 o'clock tonight. Prince George will need all hands on deck with everybody contributing and a great performance from Kirk Thompson between the pipes. But it will all start with them having the right attitude and not feeling like they're beat already.
For Merritt, even though they're on the road again in a hostile environment and bigger ice, they will play this game without a worry in the world. They have built a huge cushion for themselves and will not feel any pressure. As much as they would love to go home tonight having this series wrapped up and a week off before round 2 starts, they have proven their dominance on home ice, and can afford to lose a game without the sky falling down. That doesn't mean that Merritt won't play determined or inspired, it actually means they might feel confident enough to open up their game a bit and take some chances offensively, with faith in Lino Chimienti on the other side. Their nerves shouldn't be a factor, and that should allow them to have some fun tonight, which could actually result in their best game of the series. Similar idea to when people say that a non-playoff team late in the season is always dangerous, because they're just playing for fun.
The big goal for Merritt tonight will be to try and re-establish their home-ice game on the road. They had more difficulty on the forecheck and defensively last night, relying on Lino Chimienti to often save the day, which he definitely did. But tonight they will look for consistency in all 3 periods and perhaps more. After relaxing a bit with a 3-1 lead yesterday, they got burned, and will have to keep their foot on the gas pedal tonight.
Another focus will be to try to get back to their stifling, frustrating defensive style, and their aggressive forecheck to grind down and tire out the Spruce Kings. Offensively, the Centennials will want to shoot, and shoot often, as Kirk Thompson has proven himself vulnerable with rebounds, and the Cents know he will be feeling the heat and might fight the puck again here in game 4.
Finally, special teams. Merritt won that battle in the first 2 games, but got in trouble in game 3 by giving up a power play goal and struggling on their own man advantage. Again, these two teams are very evenly matched, and in another game that will probably be decided by 1 goal, it might be that 1 power play goal that could make the difference.
There are once again no lineup changes for Merritt. Tyler Martin and Scotty Patterson remain out (along with another AP that Merritt called up just in case, 19-year-old Castlegar Rebels defenseman Eric Alden who will be with the team for the rest of the playoffs), and Lino Chimienti will get his 4th straight playoff start and 5th straight start overall
Face-off tonight is at 7pm. Our pre-game show gets going on Q101 FM in Merritt starting at 6:30pm. You can also tune in online at Q101.ca and through the BCHL fanzone on BCHL.ca
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