Merritt Sweeps Season Series

2                                        Final Score                                        5
Hovde, Lee	Goal Scorers	Fidanza, O’Shaughnessy, Grannary, Lipon, Court
32	Total Shots	35
12	1st Period Shots	10
9	2nd Period Shots	13
11	3rd Period Shots	12
1 for 6	Power Play	0 for 2
	3rd Star	Zach Court
Adam Burnett	2nd Star
	1st Star	Colin Grannary
11-33-1-3	Current Record	17-26-1-4

Following an 8-0 loss to the Chilliwack Chiefs on Thursday, Prince George responded with improved play, but the same result.

The Merritt Centennials came into town as the Spruce Kings played their first game in the newly re-named Rolling Mix Concrete Arena. The Cents would score the first two goals of the game, and the final two as they skated to a 5-2 win over Prince George.

After being pulled in two of his last three starts, Liam McCloskey got off to a hot start stopping leading scorer Colin Grannary in tight on a breakaway, and then moments later turned away Grannary again; this time on a two-on-one. There was a little pushing and shoving after the whistle, which led to a Spruce Kings power play. The home team drew three man advantages in the first, but were unable to score which was the Turning Point of the game.

Just before the halfway mark of the period, Nick Fidanza was able to steal the puck in the corner, and cut out front to beat an unsuspecting McCloskey for the first goal of the game.

In the second it was Merritt doubling their lead as Mark O’Shaughnessy took a point shot that was kicked out by McCloskey, but the puck bounced into the net. 1:16 later it was Prince Geoge as Cooper Prechel dumped the puck in, and chased after it where Jarod Hovde was able to pounce on the rebound and score for 5^th goal of the year, and 5^th in his last 18 games. The assist for Prechel ended an 18 game pointless drought. Minutes after, Colin Grannary stole the puck at the blue line, and walked down for a slap shot to beat McCloskey and restore his team’s 3-1 lead.

With his second goal of the season, Chong Lee made things interesting in the 3^rd while on a 5-on-3 power play. The Spruce Kings had more time on that man advantage, but were unable to capitalize. Then with Prince George pressing for the equalizer, Merritt was able to move out on a 3-on-1, and Brett Jewell passed the puck cross ice for Mitch Lipon who scored to seal the game with less than two minutes remaining. Zach Court would add an empty net to finish the game at 5-2.