Cents edge Warriors in overtime

WEST KELOWNA – Michael Buonincontri had a pair of goals, and Hunter Zandee had his first in the BCHL, but it wasn't enough as a power-play marker in the first OT lead the Merritt Centennials to a 5-4 win over West Kelowna.

The Warriors opened the scoring on the power-play early on with a Liam Blackburn deflection, but the Cents would come back and score a pair, one from John Schiavo on a weird bounce, and a 4-on-4 goal from James Neil.

West Kelowna tied this one in the second period when Jason Cotton blocked a shot and Blackburn fed Buonincontri beautifully on a 2-on-1 the other way for his first of the night.

Merritt would open up a 4-2 lead in the first 10 minutes of the 3rd period, Schiavo with his 2nd and Gavin Gould would beat Scott Patton to give the Centennials a 4-2 lead.

The Warriors would not quit as the fourth line would get a beautiful goal of their own, as Zandee tapped in a perfect backdoor pass from Josh Bly. Kade Kehoe had the other assist.

Then at 17:32, Buonincontri finished his night by knocking in a back door feed from Blackburn to tie it up.

With Brett Mennear off for tripping in the extra frame, Mac Ferner blocked a shot and on the ensuing scramble Shane Poulsen would snap home the game winner.

Next up for the Warriors is a Saturday night home date with the Vernon Vipers. The two teams split back to back meetings September 26th and 27th. Tickets go on sale at 6 p.m. at the Royal Lepage Place Box Office.

If you can't make the game, tune in at 95.1 FM WDCR or online at www.wdcr.ca or www.Fasthockey.com.