The Merritt Centennials started off their weekend home stand with a tough loss to second place Penticton, another loss to Westside, but turned things around in the lower mainland against Surrey.

The Cents traded scoring chances with the Penticton Vees at packed Nicola Valley Memorial Arena Friday night and even held the lead for a little while.

Although the Cents mustered more shots on Penticton's star goaltender Sean Bonar than the Vees shot at goaltender Keith Hamilton, it wasn't enough.

The two teams were deadlocked at two goals a piece going into the third period before Vees forward Beau Bennet popped a goal in on the powerplay, midway through the third period.

Defenceman Steve Tresierra and forward Dustin Johnson scored the two Cents' goals.

The next night at home against the Westside Warriors was very much the same.

Merritt outshot their opponents 37-33 but failed to capitalize on scoring chances and failed to come through on eight powerplay opportunities.

The Cents have struggled on the powerplay all season.

Warrior goaltender Kevin Jebson was solid in net while his team dominated on the scored board with goals from Cole Wilson, Colton Sissons, Alex Grieve, and Brendan Ellis.

The Cents lone goal came from Derek Hills on a powerplay late in the third period.

The Centennials' star spangled forwards, Alex Valenti and Daniel Chang were a big reason for the turnaround in a game against the Surrey Eagles in White Rock Sunday afternoon.

The two combined for four points in all of the four Centennials' goals, which was enough to defeat the Eagles.

Goaltender Cole Holowenko stopped 36 shots in his first start since Jan.5 in a 5-0 loss to the Vernon Vipers.

The Cents will start another Cariboo interior road trip tomorrow night in Williams Lake, followed by a tilt against the Prince George Spruce Kings Saturday night, and ending their trip in Quesnel Sunday.

Fans won't see the Centennials back on ice until Jan. 29 when they host Penticton.