The Penticton Vees scored first in Merritt’s Nicola Valley Arena Friday night, but that was it.
Steen Cooper found the back of the net at 15:49 on the power play, and it was a short-lived lead as Zak Bowles squared things up at 18:32. It was also all Merritt after that despite the shot count not finishing in their favour as they earned a 4-1 win.
John Teves scored in the second period to give the Centennials a 2-1 lead, then Gavin Gould added a power play tally three minutes into the third and Shane Poulsen beat Hunter Miska for their fourth goal three minutes later.
The Vees outshot the Centennials 12-7 in the third and 38-30 total, but Jonah Imoo was solid between the pipes in front of a crowd of 669 and was named the game’s first star.
Another great game for @JonahImoo between the pipes tonight turning aside 35 of 36 shots #firststar #CentsArmy #BCHL
— Merritt Centennials (@BCHLCentennials) January 17, 2015
The Vees also had the edge in power play chances, eight to two.
The Vees (32-7-2-1) had their three-game win streak snapped and they finished with just one win against the Centennials (23-15-0-2) in four trips to Merritt this season.
The Vees face the Smoke Eaters in Trail tonight at Cominco Arena at 7:30 p.m. The Smoke Eaters were edged 5-4 by the Nanaimo Clippers.
In other league action Friday night, Coquitlam defeated Powell River 5-3, Chilliwack doubled up Victoria 4-2, Cowichan Valley and Alberni Valley battled to a 2-2 final, Vernon topped West Kelowna 6-3 and Langley defeated Surrey 4-1.
