PENTICTON LEADS THE BEST-OF-SEVEN SERIES 2-1
Last night was definitely a tough pill to swallow for the Centennials and their fans. Merritt did just about everything right, especially considering the opponent and what they've accomplished this season. It was far and away Merritt's best game of the series, but it wasn't enough, and now Penticton has all the momentum once again, in a series where games 2 and 3 were all about momentum shifts.
Now the Centennials can react in one of 2 ways to this situation. They can get demoralized from working so hard and not being rewarded yesterday, and they could play defeated, which would allow Penticton to feast on them with ease. Or... the team can use game 3 as a momentum-boost for themselves. After all, they got better and better with each game in this series, and had a great game last night, proving again that they can beat the Vees. They just need to go out there and do it. But last night could be used as a confidence-booster if the Centennials approach it the right way; from the perspective that Penticton is beatable and there's nothing to be afraid of moving forward. The right mentality will play a big factor in game 4 tonight.
Yesterday, all 4 lines, all 3 defensive pairings, and even Tyler Steel (especially in the final 2 periods) were on their game. That needs to carry over into game 4 with a little more hunger for the net. The other thing that needs to continue is Merritt's impressive discipline in games 2 and 3, taking a combined 3 minor penalties in those 2 games after taking 7 in game 1. Staying out of the box is a must to give themselves a chance. And Merritt did a great job in the last couple games of maintaining their physicality, but not crossing the line and losing their cool.
The biggest focus for Merritt tonight has to be their start, particularly the first 5 minutes. Penticton has scored first in all 3 games in this series, and it's been withing 3 and a half minutes each time. Overall, regular season included, through 11 games, Penticton has scored first in 8 of them, and scored at least once in the first 5 minutes in 9 of those 11 games (with the exception of one game where they scored 7 minutes in). Bottom line is, you don't play catchup hockey vs the Vees, and Merritt should consider themselves lucky to accomplish that and win in game 2 in Penticton. But in the 3 games Merritt has scored first in, it's no surprise they've won once, and lost the other 2 in overtime. But it's clear how huge that first goal is, and it's an absolute must tonight for Merritt!
Regardless of how good Steel will be tonight overall, it's imperative that he make the big saves early and in the 1st period, to allow his team to take the lead and get the crowd into the game early. But having said that, the team around Tyler needs to help him as well and support him better defensively (especially in the early stages), and of course make sure they don't get penalized to give Penticton a chance to strike first and early again.
From a Penticton perspective, they're doing a great job of building a shield around backup Chad Katunar, who is being allowed to give up rebounds because his dmen seem to always be there to clear them. They protect him well in that sense, and in their clogging of shooting lanes, blocking shots and breaking up plays. 5 on 5, the Vees play a stifling defensive style, and it's almost easier in the small barn in Merritt. So having said that, Merritt will need to push that much more tonight and be like sharks on blood when it comes to rebounds. 26 shots in game 3 was an improvement on games 1 and 2, but still not enough to exploit the Vees backup. They have to jump on rebounds first and make Katunar pay for his inconsistencies. And maybe use the lively boards a little more often to confuse Katunar and create their own "lucky bounces", thereby utilizing home ice to their advantage.
If Merritt can't do it 5 on 5, they will need to do it on the power play, when the Vees can't play that same stifling defensive style. The Centennials can't lose the special teams battle against Penticton and expect to win. In general, with the few scoring chances the Vees allow, Merritt can't expect to let opportunities slide and win. They have to be opportunistic to win 3 of the next 4 games. So tonight, they will have to have at least 1 if not 2 power play goals to give them the edge in game 4. And hope the penalty kill doesn't get tested very often again.
Overall, it's really not a secret that the stars have to align just right for Merritt in this series, especially now that they have to win 3 of the next 4 to keep their season alive. And with yesterday's loss, they will now be forced to win at least 1 more game at the South Okanagan Events Centre, which took everything (including the kitchen sink) to do in game 2 on Wednesday. It's not elimination night tonight for Merritt, but make no mistake about it, it's pretty much a "must-win" situation for the Centennials. A loss tonight would force them to win 3 straight games vs a team that won 42 in a row this season, and 2 of those would be in Penticton... a building that the Vees have been basically unbeatable in all season. Not to mention the fact that the Vees would have all momentum in the series and the mental disadvantage would be a tough hurdle to overcome for Merritt. This isn't meant to create mass panic, but it's just the reality of the daunting situation, and emphasizes the importance of game 4 tonight.
*Only 1 lineup change tonight for Merritt, and that sees Tyler Martin draw back into the lineup for the first time since the Mar 1 meeting vs Penticton. He will take Scotty Patterson's spot (who draws out) on the 3rd line alongside Brandon Bruce and Carter Shinkaruk. The Vees are making no changes to their lineup. It'll once again be Tyler Steel vs Chad Katunar between the pipes.
Opening face-off tonight is at 7:30pm. Q101 pre-game show starts at 7:00pm. You can also tune in online at Q101.ca or through the BCHL fanzone at BCHL.ca
COME ON MERRITT FANS! LET'S PACK THE RINK ONCE AGAIN!
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