Despite a 4-1 loss on Sunday to the Cowichan Valley Capitals, Merritt Centennials players, coaches and fans should still be more than a little pleased with the nine points earned out of a possible 12 from the team’s six-game homestand that started way back on October 8 with a heartbreaking 3-2 overtime loss to the visiting Vernon Vipers.

In between the pair of defeats, the Cents managed to go on a run of four wins in a row, including 4-1 and 2-0 victories over the Coastal Conference Powell River Kings and Surrey Eagles respectively. Other wins were 4-2 against Salmon Arm and 4-3 versus the Chilliwack Chiefs, both Interior division rivals expected to challenge Merritt for a place in the top four this season.

“We’re very proud of the team, and some of the things the players have done over the last two weeks,” stated Cents assistant coach and GM Joe Martin. “We’re happy that we beat some very good clubs.”

Martin went on to add, “Even though they didn’t play well on Sunday, they [the players] need to get rid of that thought, be pleased with what they’ve accomplished recently, and realize that it’s a new week.”

Reflecting on his team’s loss to the resurgent Capitals, Martin said, “It’s true that we didn’t perform to our standard. But we have to give Cowichan a lot of credit. They played strong defensively, they scored timely goals, and they were more disciplined than us.”

On Sunday, only Regan Soquila was able to beat Cowichan netminder Brady Rouleau, who was playing his first game in a Cap’s uniform.

“We didn’t have trouble entering their zone,” explained Martin, “but they really collapsed down low, making it difficult to find shooting lanes and get the puck through.”

Such was not the case two days earlier, as the Centennials schooled the visiting Surrey Eagles in how to play a complete game at both ends of the rink.

After nearly 40 minutes of scoreless hockey between the Cents and Eagles, Evan Stack notched his fourth goal of the year with a wicked shot from the high slot. Merritt’s fearless captain tallied despite having taken a nasty highstick to the face earlier in the game – an injury that would require several stitches at the conclusion of the contest.

Martin stated that he won’t soon forget the Stack goal. “Evan came by the bench – his chin all cut up and a mess, blood on his jersey – like he’d just scored his first-ever goal. It’s moments like that that make you happy as a coach. And you just know what it does for the rest of the bench.”

Merritt’s Sean Maktaak added icing to the cake just 2:28 into the third period with a scintillating shot from just outside the crease that beat Eagle’s netminder Andrew Hunt glove side.

That’s all the scoring that the Cents would need on the night as 20-year-old Lino Chimienti was perfect between the pipes for the homeside, stopping all 25 shots sent his way and picking up his first shutout of the young season.

In the Friday night outing against the Eagles, the Centennials rolled their four forward lines and three defensive pairings consistently throughout the game, something both Martin and head coach and GM Luke Pierce were very proud about.

“The ice time for every player was just about equal,” said Martin. “We didn’t have to shorten the bench at any time. Every line was contributing. That’s a real confidence booster for everyone.”

The Cents now prepare for three games in a row on the road, beginning this Friday in Salmon Arm. On Saturday, they travel to Penticton to take on the Vees before returning to the shores of the Shuswap next Wednesday for a second engagement with the Silverbacks in a span of five days.

Martin said that practices this week are focused on the shift to competing on larger ice surfaces.

“Teams that we’ll be playing against this weekend are going to have more time and space. We’re going to have to play a little more smart.”

Martin further elaborated. “We play a lot of hockey on our smaller ice surface with mostly heart and courage. On the bigger surfaces, you have to incorporate your brain or you’ll get exposed – badly.”

The Centennials’ next home game is on Saturday, November 5 against Salmon Arm. It will be the two team’s third meeting in four games.