The B.C. Hockey League preseason got underway Friday night at the Coliseum and that must mean winter is not far away.
That's bad news if you're a gardener trying to keep the frost off tender plants but it's the perfect time of year if you're a junior hockey player trying to put down new roots in the BCHL.
The spotlight was on the rookies Friday and the Merritt Centennials and Prince George Spruce Kings both elected to play their new additions to see how they respond to game pressure. In front of about 440 witnesses at the Coliseum the Cents came out on top 7-4.
Justin Peaker cashed in a Merritt power play 6:48 into the third period for the gamewinner and Henry Cleghorn followed up three minutes later at even strength and added an empty-netter late to defeat the Kings.
Zach Zorn, Cole Woodliffe and Riley Barnes also scored for Merritt.
Centre Parker Colley paced the Kings' attack with a goal and an assist. Colley was playing his first game in Prince George since he helped the Vancouver Northeast Chiefs beat the Cariboo Cougars in the B.C. Major Midget Hockey League playoff final last spring.
Former Fernie Ghostrider Calvin Tilsley also picked up a goal and an assist in his first game action with the Kings. Quesnel native Brayden Dale opened the scoring 1:29 into the game and Chase Dubois made it 2-0 Kings at the four-minute mark, but Zorn and Woodliffe evened the game as the period ended.
The teams were tied at four apiece after two periods. Cleghorn and Barnes, on a power play, scored for Merritt. Tilsley set up Colley for a shorthanded goal after the puck took a big hop off the lively Coliseum end boards.
Shots ended up 42-36 Merritt. Aris Anagnostopoulos started in net for the Kings and gave up three goals on 19 shots in 30 minutes 11 seconds of playing time before giving up his spot in the crease to Paul Tucek, who stopped 19 of 22 shots he faced. Merritt started Spencer Eschyschyn, who allowed four goals while making 19 saves. Josh Tetlichi was flawless, making 17 saves.
Local product Jesse Pomeroy made his debut wearing the Kings' crown on defence and didn't look out of place. The 16-year-old P.G. native was paired most of the game with Jeremy Gervais of Prince George.
"Jesse has been terrific, he's a great kid who comes from a great family I've known a long time and it's nice to see him come into his own as a player," said Kings general manager Mike Hawes.
"He's smart player, he keeps the game simple and makes good passes out of the zone and he can chip in offensively. He likes to play the body and be physical. He does everything well."
Pomeroy, 16, will play another year of major midget with the Cariboo Cougars and that will give the Kings plenty of opportunity to monitor his progress.
"He's going to have a real chance of making our hockey club next year, he's really turned some heads in camp here" said Hawes. "With another year of development with the Cariboo Cougars with Trevor (head coach Sprague), Jesse is going to be a good player in this league."
Hawes said Pomeroy will play tonight against the Cents in the rematch in Merritt.
LOOSE PUCKS: The Kings paired their roster to about 28 players after the game... The Kings will be in Grande Prairie Tuesday for an exhibition test against the AJHL Storm. On Friday the Kings host the Vernon Vipers, then travel to Vernon to wrap up the preseason on Saturday, Sept. 5. They open the season at home on Sept. 11 against the expansion Wenatchee Wild... Friday's game marked the debut of new Kings coaches Chad Van Diemen and his assistant, Adam Maglio... Merritt bench boss Joe Martin has moved up from an assistant's role to take over from Luke Pierce, who was hired in May to coach the WHL's Kootenay Ice after six seasons as head coach and general manager in Merritt. Martin has been with the Cents for four seasons after four years as head coach of the KIJHL Creston Valley Thundercats.
