1.4°C Not observed 
The Merritt Centennials opened the exhibition season with a dramatic last-minute 7-6 win in a match against the Salmon Arm SilverBacks at the Sunwave Centre in Salmon Arm Sunday. Jeff Zmurchyk scored the winning goal with 18 seconds to go in the third period.
The SilverBacks led 3-0 during the first period after Rick Soo, Devin Muller, and Morgan Zulinick scored. Goals by Jeff Jones, a Cents veteran, and rookies Jordan Salahor and Evan Stack tied the game in the second period.
At 2:56 in the third period, the SilverBacks were leading 6-4. David Sabey, another Cents vet, scored Merritt's fourth goal.
Both Jones and Sabey scored again at 13:59 and 14:53, respectively, with Zmurchyk taking the game for Merritt.
Rookie Ryan Garber, last of the Grand Forks BorderBruins, got the start in goal for the Cents. Cole Buckley minded the net in the second half of the game.
Salmon Arm staged a comeback the next night, defeating the Cents 8-4 on home ice at the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena.
Newcomer Max Vallis, who previously played in Santa Clara, Calif., had one goal and two assists in the game.
Fellow rookies Brent Fletcher and Eric Schmidt scored for the Cents as well.
Veteran Centennial Alexander MacMillan and captain Steve Tresierra notched an assist each, as did Payton Schaefer, last of midget-level Merritt minor hockey, and Regan Soquila, younger brother of last year‘s Cents captain, Jordan Soquila.
Thirty-three players, vets and rookies alike, took to the ice at the Cents annual intrasquad game Friday. John O'Connor of the Merritt News and Bill Pierce coached Team Black while Brian Wiebe of Q101, Cliff Nokleby, and
Alex Grebenyuk coached Team White.
Team White was shut out and Team Black skated away with a 5-0 win. Goalies Jared Andersen, Buckley, and Michael Hails shared Team Black's shutout.
By Sept. 10, when the regular season starts, the roster of 33 will be cut down to no more than 23 players.
"We've still got more guys we need to get into the lineup," says head coach and general manager Luke Pierce.
"Obviously I was pretty satisfied with some individual performances."
The Cents played Wednesday in Westside against the Warriors and were defeated 5-1. Jones scored the sole goal for Merritt.
They will face the Warriors again on home ice tomorrow.
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
Survey results are meant for general information only, and are not based on recognised statistical methods.
Team Merritt News schools Team Q101
Cents go 1-2 against Salmon Arm and WestsideComments
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