The Trail Smoke Eaters had some jump in the opening period, but the Merritt Centennials withstood early pressure and took control as they skated to a 5-0 shutout victory over the Smokies at the Cominco Arena on Tuesday.
The Cents' Scott Patterson netted a hat trick and goaltender Devin Kero blocked 28 shots to pace the visitors to their second win of the young BCHL season. The 20-year-old Cents' forward scored three of the first four goals as Merritt potted three in the second to take a commanding 4-0 lead into the third.
The Smokies came on in the third but could not beat Kero who registered his first BCHL win as a Centennial.
The Smoke Eaters scored just one goal during its three-game home stand, and will look to turn it around on the road when they visit Merritt and Prince George this coming weekend.
For more on the Smoke Eaters see Thursday's edition of the Trail Times.