Just a few games into a mid-season coaching change, the Merritt Centennials are back on the board.
The Cents were able to open 2022 with a 3-2 win over the Cranbrook Bucks at the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena on Jan. 2.
The Ward brothers, Cents veteran Ben and younger brother rookie Sam, played the hometown heroes in front of a crowd of a recorded 177. Sam picked up his second tally of the year on the powerplay late in the first period to tie the game at one apiece, though Cranbrook retook the lead early in the second period to ride a 2-1 lead into the final frame.
Connor Farren, however, was able to take advantage of another powerplay at around the thirteen-minute mark of the third period to send the game into overtime, where the older Ward gave Merritt the extra point just over three minutes in.
For his efforts, Ben Ward was named second star of the game, while goaltender Colton Phillips-Watts was given top honours, stopping 33 of the 35 pucks that he faced.
It marks the second win of the season for the Centennials, just under one month removed from their first victory on Dec. 3 against the Wenatchee Wild, also in overtime.
The Cents finish off their three-game homestand on Jan.5 at the NVMA following the Herald’s press time, hosting the West Kelowna Warriors. They then hit the road on Jan. 7 to face off against the Vernon Vipers.
