Merritt showed more determination early on, jumping out to a 10-1 shot advantage. Fortunately, Gordie Defiel was there to continue his strong play and give the Express a chance to get their legs going. Devin Kero was equal to the task at the other end of the ice, building on his BCHL Player of the Week nod from the previous weekend.
The stalemate was broken late in the 2nd Period by Express leading scorer, Adam Rockwood. A neutral zone turnover by Merritt sprung Rockwood and two teammates in 3 on 1 on the Cent’s goal. Rocky kept and snapped a wrist shot over Kero’s glove for his 9th on the campaign.
Fans remained on the edge of their seats into the 3rd Period, as the back-and-forth play left the game’s outcome full of uncertainty. Four minutes into the period, Joey Santucci’s stick got caught up in the feet of a Merritt players as the jostled for the puck along the boards. The Centennials were awarded their 4th powerplay of the game, but a sloppy breakout at the beginning of the advantage created a free puck at their own blueline. Rockwood swooped in to pick up the puck for a breakaway opportunity. Kero made the initial save, but number 17 collected the rebound and wrapped around the net and tucked in his 2nd of the game.
The Centennials were able to climb within a goal midway through the period’s point when Shane Poulson deflected one past Goaltender Gordie Defiel on a point shot from Bird on the powerplay.
Defiel was able to shut the door the rest of the way, finishing the game with 33 saves. The 2-1 victory marked the last home game before the Express kicked off an 8 game road schedule.
Scotiabank 3 Stars:
- Adam Rockwood, COQ
- Gordie Defiel, COQ
- Shane Poulsen, MER
