Vernon, BC: The Vernon Vipers kick off a busy weekend tonight as they host the Merritt Centennials tonight at Kal Tire Place.
The Vipers (15-12-1-1) come into the night following their second shutout win of the season on Saturday, 2-0 over the Salmon Arm Silverbacks. Reilly Herbst stopped all 34 shots put his way for his first BCHL shutout. Elan Bar-lev-Wise had a goal early in the first that stood up for the rest of the game. Dawson Holt has 4 goals in his last 6 games and 5 points in that span. Matt Kowalski rides an 8 game point streak with 6 goals and 3 assists during that time. The Vipers sit 4 points behind Wenatchee for 4th place in the division with 3 games in hand.
The Centennials (8-19-1-1) are winless in their last 5 hockey games. This their 3rd game of a 4 game week that has seen them travel to Langley, Alberni Valley and now here to Vernon before returning home on Sunday. The Cents have surrendere the most goals against, at 126. Josh Kagan leads the way offensively for the Cents with 19 goals and 10 assists in 29 games split between Merritt and Cowichan Valley. Daniel Tkac is behind him with 8 goals and 14 assists. Both Merritt goaltenders have faced a ton of rubber this season as Ryan Winter and Tanner Marshall have essentially split duties. The Cents currently sit 2 points ahead of West Kelowna for 6th place in the Interior while holding a game in hand over the Tribe.
This is the 3rd meeting of the season between these teams with the Vipers holding 5-2 and 3-2 wins.
These two teams will play again on Sunday at the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena at 2pm.
You can catch all the action tonight starting at 6:45 on 107.5 Beach Radio, Vernon Matters and HockeyTV
