Centennials’ late goal defeats Westside Warriors

WEST KELOWNA – The Merritt Centennials scored with 2:23 remaining in the third to break a 4-4 deadlock, taking their own home opener 5-4 over the West Kelowna Warriors on Saturday night.

The Warriors opened the scoring when Liam Blackburn snapped home his first of the season, Sept. 12, but the Cents responded off a turnover as Tyler Ward buried his second.

Merritt went up 2-1 early in the second on a Gavin Gould power-play marker, before the Warriors stormed back with 3 goals of their own.

Kristian Blumenschein had a pair of goals, including one on the power-play, before Brett Mennear widened the lead to two.

The Centennials Colin Grannary was awarded a penalty shot in the middle frame, and slid it through the legs of Daniel Mannella to make it 4-3.

Merritt wasn't done as Gould's second of the game came on a breakaway marker, as the Warriors outshot the Cents 15-7 in the middle frame.

The late goal from Nick Jermain was a back breaker for the Warriors, again off a turnover as Jermain spun and fired to beat Mannella.

The Warriors return home Tuesday night, Sept. 15, against the Trail Smoke Eaters, with puck drop at 7 p.m. at Royal Lepage Place.