The Merritt Centennials gave a rude welcome to Prince George Spruce Kings goalie Ryder Green in his B.C. Hockey League debut Saturday in Merritt.
The Cents scored three goals in the second period and added a fourth late in the game on the way to a 4-1 victory to end the regular season.
Charles-Thomas Larochelle, on a power play, Michael Strenberg, Jimmy Lyver and Jaxson Murray all scored for the Cents, who fired 34 shots on the 17-year-old Green in his first junior A game.
Spruce Kings winger and Quesnel native Carter Hesselgrave scored his first goal of the season in the third period to spoil the shutout try for Dylan Adams.
Playoffs start Friday and the Spruce Kings (16-35-3-0, eighth in Interior Conference) will take on the two-time defending BCHL-champion Penticton Vees (38-9-3-3, first in Interior) in a best-of-seven series.
The Spruce Kings will host Game 3 Tuesday, April 9 and Game 4 on Wednesday, April 10. Tickets are available at the Kings’ office at Kopar Memorial Arena or on the website.
