The Merritt Centennials scored three times before the game was eight minutes old and went on to defeat the visiting Chilliwack Chiefs 5-1 Saturday night.
With the loss the Chiefs record drops to 20-15-0-2. Chilliwack remains in fourth place in the Interior Conference, one point back of the Prince George Spruce Kings who dropped a 4-0 decision in Penticton.
The Centennials struck first with four minutes gone in the opening period. Brandon Bruce, cutting hard to the net took a pass from Tyler Martin and deflected it over the glove of Chiefs goaltender Mitch Gillam for his ninth goal of the season.
Just under two minutes later the home team doubled their lead with a power play goal. With Chiefs forward Kit Sitterley serving a high sticking minor, Brayden Low parked himself beside the Chiefs net and tipped in Billy Marshall’s point shot.
The Centennials onslaught continued at the 7:24 mark when Tyler Martin cashed in a pass from Carter Shinkaruk on a two on one break. That was the end of the night for Gillam who was replaced by Bryton Udy.
The Chiefs came close on the power play early in the second when Derek Huisman rattled a shot off the cross bar.
Merritt then increased their lead to 4-0 at the 8:04 mark of the middle frame on a harmless looking dump in from center ice by Brendan Lamont that eluded Bryton Udy.
The Chiefs finally got on the scoreboard at the five minute mark of the third period. Kody Dhaliwal, acquired early in the week from the Flin Flon Bombers, scored his first goal in a Chilliwack uniform when he tipped in Anderson White’s point shot. Josh Hansen also earned an assist.
Seventy seconds later Chad Brears closed out the scoring when he beat Udy low stick side from the top of the faceoff circle to increase Merritt’s lead to 5-1.
Shots on goal favored the Centennials by a margin of 40-23.
Chilliwack was 0/5 on the power play and 5/6 on the penalty kill.
Next action for the Chiefs is Sunday afternoon in Trail. Game time is 3pm. The next home game for the Chiefs is Sunday January 22nd when they host the Westside Warriors. Fans are invited to strap on their knife boots and join Chiefs players on the ice following the game. Skate rentals will be available.
