Cents Beat Vipers In Overtime:

This is posted on the Vipers website:

Cents beat Vipers in overtime

by Don Klepp | Added 2010-11-06

Each of the three games this season between the Merritt Centennials and the Vipers has gone to overtime. On Friday in Merritt, the Centennials came back from a three-goal deficit to defeat the Vipers, 4-3.

Steve Tresierra, a former Viper, started the rally with a power play goal at 12:45 of the third period when his big shot from the high slot overwhelmed goalie Blake Voth.

Up to that point in the game, it looked like the Vipers had the game under control, but the Tresierra goal gave his team life. Playing with renewed hope, they scored again at 16:43.

Jeff Jones deposited his own rebound past Voth after being set up by Regan Soquila to get the crowd of 772 at the Nicola Valley Arena rocking.

A slashing call on Vernon’s Mike Zalewski at 18:31 gave the Cents further hope. That hope was nearly dashed 30 seconds later.

With Merritt goalie on the bench for a sixth attacker, Viper David Robinson found himself in the Merritt zone looking at an empty net. However, as he was about to pull the trigger, his stick was lifted and the Centennials roared back in the other direction.

Sean Maktaak squeezed in a rebound of a Steve Tresirra shot at 19:06 to complete the comeback.

No doubt in shock, the Vipers gave up the winning goal 1:45 into overtime. From a draw in the Viper zone, the puck went back to Brandon Pfeil at the left point. His shot went through the traffic in front for the Cents’ second OT 4-3 win over the Vipers this fall.

The game left a sour taste in the Vipers’ mouths because they had played a strong road game prior to the third period collapse. In the first period, they created the bulk of the scoring chances, but neither team was able to score.

In the second period, the line of John Knisley, Mike Zalewski, and Aaron Hadley led the charge with two goals that resulted from their speed and ferocious forecheck. Zalewski got the first one, 29 seconds into the period, on a rocket from the top of the circle that gave Tyler Steel no chance.

Knisley added to the lead at 8:44, converting a pretty back pass from Hadley.

The Vipers continued to press. Nicholas Kerr, skating just inside the Merritt blue line, found Todd Skirving lurking behind the Merritt defence. Skirving beat Steel through the five-hole at 10:05.

The Cents, who were depleted on defence when Jeff Smurchyk left the team earlier in the day, went with five D-men. Facing the Viper relentless forecheck, they looked tired in the second period and nearly gave up a fourth goal when Darren Nowick rang one off the post.

However, the Vipers retreated to the neutral zone in the third period, instead of trying to add to their three-goal lead.