The elusive first point of the 2021-22 BCHL season continues to evade the Merritt Centennials – and longtime rivals the Prince George Spruce Kings are mostly to blame.

Rolling Mix Concrete Arena was the site for the Cents’ first road game of the season on Oct. 15, hoping to avenge an 8-1 loss at the hands of the Spruce Kings in the season opener one week prior.

First-year goaltender Brayden Melnyk was given the call between the pipes, with the onslaught continuing into this contest in facing 20 PG shots in the first period alone. After 20 minutes, the home team led 2-0.

Talon Zakall got the Centennials on the board on the powerplay early in the second frame to cut the lead in half, though the Spruce Kings managed another pair in the period to lead 4-1. 

The sides split the third period for a final score of 6-3.

 Melnyk made 38 stops on 44 shots.

The two teams returned to the ice the following night for their third battle in four games to start the season, with similar results.

Prince George once again potted two goals in the first period, this time past goalie John Hicks, to Merritt’s none.

A late powerplay goal in the middle frame gave Prince George a 3-0 lead, one they would never look back from, with the score at 5-2 at the final buzzer.

Davide Patella and Connor Farren scored for the Centennials, the first of the year for each new Cent.

Hicks managed to stop 35 of the 40 pucks he saw in the matchup.

The pair of losses brings Merritt’s season-opening losing streak to four games. That leaves the squad as one of two teams in the BCHL’s Interior division to remain winless, along with the Wenatchee Wild, who have been bested in overtime in both of their games so far this season.

The Penticton Vees lead the charge in the division with three wins through three games, one of three undefeated squads in the league, along with the Coastal division’s Nanaimo Clippers and Victoria Grizzlies.

Merritt returns to action this Friday, Oct. 22 to kick off the BCHL showcase in Chilliwack, where teams from around the league will play 18 regular season games over a five-day stretch, all at Chilliwack Coliseum.

The puck drops against the hometown Chiefs at 7:30p.m., before the Centennials close out their showcase matchups on Sunday, Oct. 24 against the Cowichan Valley Capitals.

The next home games at Nicola Valley Memorial Arena  will be on Halloween weekend, with the Cents hosting the Spruce Kings again on Oct. 30 at 7p.m., their second-to-last meeting of the season.

Victoria then comes to town the following day for the first Sunday matinee of the year, with puck drop set for 2p.m.