The Merritt Centennials dished out some payback Sunday on their home ice at Nicola Valley Memorial Arena.
They pasted the Prince George Spruce Kings 5-1 Sunday afternoon, avenging their 4-3 loss to the Kings a week ago Friday in Chilliwack at the B.C. Hockey League Showcase.
Zach Court staked the Cents to a 1-0 lead with 37 seconds left in the first period and also collected two assists, Nicholas Wicks, Joey Berkopec and Brendan Schneider also scored for Merritt. Kyle Johnson briefly made it a 1-1 game with an even-strength goal 5:49 into the second period but just 34 seconds later Wicks popped in his third of the season to restore the Merritt lead.
Early in the third period, Berkopec scored with Kings forward Ben Brar in the penalty box serving a double-minor for spearing. Schneider also cashed in on a Merritt power play later in the period.
Jacob Berger blocked 30 of 31 shots to earn the win in goal for the Cents. Evan DeBrouwer took the loss, making 25 saves.
Saturday in Coquitlam, Dustin Manz scored two goals, including the gamewinner early in the third period, and also had an assist to lift the Kings to a 5-3 win over the Coquitlam Express.
Corey Cunningham, with his first career BCHL goal, Ben Poisson and Ben Brar (into an empty net) also scored for the Kings. Patrick Cozzi collected two assists. Mitch Newsome, Christian Sanda and Jordan Schulting accounted for the Express scoring.
The Kings outshot the Express 51-21. Brad Cooper ran his season record to 3-0 in net for Prince George. Reid Cooper took the loss in goal for Coquitlam.
The Kings (5-3-0-1), started their three-game roadtrip with a 4-1 loss to the Eagles in Surrey, remain first in the Mainland Division. The win was the second straight for the Centennials (3-6-0-0), who were coming off a 7-1 on home ice Saturday against the Cowichan Valley Capitals.
Prince George will host the Eagles in a two-game set at Rolling Mix Concrete Arena on Friday and Saturday.
