There was a lot of hype leading up to game 1 of the playoffs, and the Merritt Centennials delivered. In a fact-paced, back and forth, physical contest, the Cents overcame a 1-0 deficit in the 2nd period to score 4 unanswered in a 4-1 victory over the Spruce Kings.
Despite the fact the two teams hadn't seen each other in over 3 months, there wasn't much of a feeling out process in the 1st period. Both clubs were clearly ready and clearly hungry, with the first goal being a big key to the game for both sides; for Merritt to get the packed crowd into the game, and for Prince George to silence the crowd.
Despite the Centennials heavily outchancing their opposition, Spruce Kings netminder Ty Swabb was a rock-solid wall, constantly gloving pucks like it was nothing and frustrating the Merritt forwards. They got a lot of shots, but not a lot of traffic in front, and Swabb appeared to get himself into a groove. Chimienti was good, but didn't need to be great, and the two teams went scoreless into the locker room, despite Merritt having 2 power plays and Prince George having one of their own.
The 2nd period saw the Centennials really take the game over I thought, although the shot totals saw the Spruce Kings with a 14-11 advantage. After almost half a game of the goalies stealing the show, Prince George would finally open the scoring past the 8 minute mark on a scramble in front, that Michael Betz was able to finish off.
Although the crowd was silenced, it wasn't for long. Just 23 seconds after the Betz goal, Brent Fletcher's wrist shot from the left circle beat Swabb low to the glove side to tie the game at 1 and get the crowd right into it.
(Ian Webster/Merritt Herald)
The Centennials were simply more determined from this point on, as they came at the Spruce Kings in waves, and scored again less than 4 minutes later, when Brandon Pfeil's seeing-eye wrist shot from the right point went stick side, off the post and in, giving the Cents their first lead.
(Ian Webster/Merritt Herald)
It appeared like the Spruce Kings tied the game seconds after Merritt took the lead, but even though an obvious trip by one of the Fitzgerald's on Sabourin wasn't called, justice was served. Seconds after the trip, Leo Fitzgerald fired one through Chimienti's legs from the slot, but the goal was immediately waved off by referee Ward Patemen because the Spruce Kings had a player in the crease impeding Chimienti's ability to make the save.
Call it a turning point, used the lucky break to get even better. Late in the 2nd period, on a power play, it was copy and paste for Pfeil. Again from the right point, he wristed one perfectly off the post, stick side a 2nd time to make it 3-1 Merritt through 40 minutes.
(Ian Webster/Merritt Herald)
The 3rd period saw the Centennials continue their consistency, not taking their foot off the gas pedal one bit. While we were in commercial break on the radio side, Chad Brears (with the help of Soquila) won a face-off back to Marshall at the left point, and his shot beat Swabb through a screen to make it 4-1, and basically put aside any doubt as to who would win this game (I apologize that this goal was missed on the highlight pack because of the commercial break).
(Ian Webster/Merritt Herald)
(Ian Webster/Merritt Herald)
After it was 4-1, the Spruce Kings got frustrated and didn't seem to have much of a push-back, but an already physical game took an even nastier tone as both teams were throwing bone-jarring hits and leaving no prisoners, clearly trying to send a message to one another for the rest of the series. But as for the Centennials, they effectively went into lockdown mode, and despite a 2-0 shorthanded breakaway in the dying seconds that didn't pan out, they cruised to a 4-1 victory to take game 1.
*this was a clear team effort tonight, as everyone busted their hump on every shift and showed the will to win that it takes to get it done in the playoffs
*the 2nd line was maybe the most effective for the Cents, creating ample scoring chances and most of all, energy. Brent Fletcher was a spark plug off the opening face-off, and Silvan Harper was right there with him. Along with Reichert, they were the most physical line in what turned into a bloodbath on the ice
(Ian Webster/Merritt Herald)
*there were 2 unlikely scraps on the ice tonight, the first one between Sean Maktaak and Ben Mathews, the first of 2 mismatched fights. The smaller Maktaak was clearly the underdog, but he was able to tie up Mathews just enough to avoid any serious damage, and even got a couple licks in himself, though Mathews definitely had the advantage...
(Ian Webster/Merritt Herald)
...The 2nd fight was Payton Schaefer standing up for Brendan Lamont after he was rocked on an open-ice hit by Trevor Esau... Schaefer gave up more than 50 pounds and several inches, but he also managed to keep Esau close to his body, and despite taking a few shots, he didn't allow himself to be vulnerable, and earned the respect of all the fans in the building (Brendan Lamont did not return to the game)
(Ian Webster/Merritt Herald)
*despite a solid game with 32 saves on 33 shots (plus one disallowed goal), Lino Chimienti was helped out bigtime by the "team defense" the Centennials displayed. The top guns, especially De Jersey, were non-factors for Prince George, as the Cents would often swarm the Spruce Kings top players and gave them very little time and space. They backchecked hard, blocked shots, broke up plays, and generally frustrated the Spruce Kings from playing the offensive game they're used to. It was a methodical game by the home side executed almost to perfection in their small rink
(Ian Webster/Merritt Herald)
*the win for Merritt was their first playoff win in 5 years, since March 13, 2007 vs the Trail Smoke-Eaters
*the crowd was amazing tonight... 950 strong, it was the biggest showing for any Cents game this season. HOWEVER, I have to say, I was disappointed with the lack of "towel power"... everyone in the crowd got red playoff towels, but far from everyone waved them, and it didn't look nearly as special as it could have/should have. Granted, the red towels don't stand out that well against the red seats and jerseys, but it can still look very neat. I'm hoping for much more effort in this regard tomorrow night
My 3 stars on the broadcast were:
1) Brandon Pfeil - 2 goals
2) Silvan Harper - 2 assists (tempted to throw in Fletcher here, who was the official 1st star)
3) Lino Chimienti - 32 saves on 33 shots
Here are the highlights (minus the Marshall goal that got missed) from Merritt's dramatic game 1 victory:
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