Friday night in Trail the message was clear for the Merritt Centennials: win and jettison back in to a play-off spot, lose and fall three points out of playoff contention with only two remaining chances for a road win in 2009; it was up to them.

Colton Sobchak set up Derek Hills for two goals in the first period and the Cents were up 2 - 1 after one. Despite having the only power play of the period (and the game), the Cents weathered a barrage of 22 shots in the second stanza to hold a tie in to the third period, where Hills set Sobchak up for what would be the winning goal midway through the third period. Goalie Keith Hamilton, who has played very well after assuming starting duties from re-called Cole Holowenko, turned aside 40 of 42 shots to lead his team to a 3 – 2 win, and capture first-star honours, while Sobchak's three point performance warranted the second-star.

On Tuesday the Centennials hosted Victoria, losers of three straight divisional games. The home side dictated the pace through one, and trailed by a single goal heading in to the third, but were issued four consecutive penalties, concluding with a double-minor and 10 minute misconduct to forward Silvan Harper, falling four goals behind; a series of events that left Cents head coach Luke Pierce visibly (and vocally) upset on the bench. The Cents would be shut-out in a 4 – 0 loss.

In the loss the Centennials did out-chance there opponent overall, but puck-luck was not on there side. They showed the best break-out ability yet this year, and, moved the puck well in the offensive zone, winning the majority of the offensive zone puck battles. 18-year-old defenseman Kameran Crawford showed poise in both zones with increased ice-time, as did 17-year-old blue-liner Austin Baecker and 18-year-old Mitch Jones.

While the Cents lost at home, Quesnel won on the road. Out shot 40-27 in Prince George Tuesday night the Mills managed a win on the strength of two goals by Quebec import Joshua Desmarais to jump in to fifth place in BCHL interior Conference Standings. Despite the loss, the Cents remain in the final play off spot, and return to action in back-to-back home games against Powell River and Prince George.

Powell River has allowed the fewest goals in the coastal conference this season and will be a tough task Saturday night, but the Cents were perfect in home games against teams from towns that start with the letter ‘P' last season, and look to continue the success this year. They finish off 2009 on the road in Trail December 30th and are staring down a tough January with seven of 11 games on the road, including a crucial 3 game Cariboo road swing through Quesnel, Prince George and Williams Lake.

In other news, Cents defenseman Steve Tresierra has been named the teams loan 2009-10 All-Star, and will join a roster of stand-outs in a game against defending league champion Vernon Vipers in Nanaimo January 13th.