This Halloween weekend, the boogeymen appeared to the Merritt Centennials in the form of the Prince George Spruce Kings.

The Cents hosted the Spruce Kings at Nicola Valley Memorial Arena on Oct. 30, the fourth meeting of the young season already between the two. Prince George came out on top in all three previous contests.

18-year old Keegan Maddocks was between the pipes for the home squad in his first BCHL game. Maddocks was tested early, facing twelve shots in the opening frame, with PG taking a 2-1 lead into intermission.

Merritt was able to find twine once more in the game, a powerplay marker in the third period from Jacksenn Hungle, though Prince George took the two points with a 5-2 win.

The Victoria Grizzlies were in town the following day for a Halloween matinee, the first meeting of the BCHL season for the two squads.

The veracity, however, was there, with both sides making numerous trips to the penalty box. The Cents had twelve powerplay opportunities, though the only special teams goal came late in the second period by Jerzy Orchard while shorthanded.

Victoria eventually took the game by a score of 5-2. Talon Zakall had the other tally for the Cents.

Merritt opens a road swing on Nov. 3 in Cranbrook to face the 4-3-0 Bucks, in search of that elusive first point.

The swing continues on Nov. 5 in a visit with the undefeated Salmon Arm Silverbacks, before battling with the 5-2-0 West Kelowna Warriors the following evening.