Cents practice (image credit - CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

KIJHL HOCKEY

KIJHL Coquihalla Clash comes to Kamloops for the first time

Jan 31, 2025 | 5:24 PM

MERRITT, B.C. — Back in September, it was the Kamloops Storm playing spoiler for the Merritt Centennials’ inaugural home opener in the KIJHL, claiming a 4-3 overtime win at the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena. This Saturday (Feb. 1), the return leg of the two-game season series will go down on McArthur Island with the surging Cents looking to enact some revenge.

It’s a rematch months in the making, as for the first time since Merritt’s home opener, the Centennials and Storm will do battle, and for the first time since joining the KIJHL it will take place in Kamloops.

“It’s going to be good atmosphere. We are looking forward to it. Obviously, with us being so close to Kamloops, we are expecting some of our fans to travel up and I know they have an event going on there and it should be a good night and a lively barn,” said Centennials Head Coach Wes McLeod.

While they may be in enemy territory, it’s expected many Merritt fans will make the trip up the highway for the Saturday night contest.

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“It’s pretty awesome. It just goes to show how big of a community we have with all the fans and everything we have. It’s pretty cool to see, actually,” said Jacob Bishop, a Cents forward from Kamloops.

In total, three Kamloops kids including a pair of brothers from the River City will pull the Cents logo over their heads on Saturday, motivated to beat their hometown team.

“It will definitely feel good. I know lots of guys on that team and we try to stay in touch as much as we can. And yeah, I think that will be a fun game to play in, for sure,” said Jobie Siemens, Cents defenseman.

“It should be pretty cool. It’s always been weird going back there to play with a different team, but it will be pretty cool playing in front of some of my parents and friends. It should be fun,” added Ezra Siemens.

The inaugural Cents have been surging, winners of seven of their last ten games, but with the Coquihalla Clash versus Kamloops coming on the tail end of three games in four nights, preparation will be key.

“It’s a good test for us moving into the playoffs. There is going to be a lot of ‘three in four’ come playoff time. I think it’s a good time for us to learn how to go through that and make sure that we are taking care of our bodies between games, recovering and refueling. And getting the sleep we need to be at our best,” added McLeod.

It’s a rivalry that hasn’t had a true ability to grow, with just two regular season games this year, but there is hope that Kamloops and Merritt could find themselves in the same division soon.

Puck drop on Saturday (Feb. 1) is 7:00 pm from the MacArthur Park Arena.