Storm drops 5-2 decision to Coquihalla Cup rivals

Nov 1, 2026 | 10:10 AM

MERRITT, B.C. — The Kamloops Storm fell 5-2 to the Merritt Centennials on Saturday (Oct. 31) at Nicola Valley Memorial Arena in the second meeting of the season between the Coquihalla Cup rivals.

The Centennials opened the scoring early when Noah Lawless found the back of the net just 2:17 into the first period.

Nigel Alberts doubled Merritt’s lead at the 6:12 mark of the opening frame, sending the Centennials into the intermission with a 2-0 advantage.

The Storm netted their first point of the game at the 7:43 mark of the second period when Malcolm Anderson scored.

Merritt restored its two-goal lead just 24 seconds into the third period as Lawless scored his second point of the night on the power play.

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At the 6:21 mark, Alberts also picked up his second goal of the game, extending the Centennials’ lead to 4-1.

Just over two minutes later, Ryker Swanson added another power-play goal for Merritt to put the home side ahead 5-1.

The Storm answered late in the contest when Keegan Sanders scored on the power play at the 15:16 mark of the third period.

Despite an aggressive match from the Storm, outshooting Merritt 38-34, they were unable to overcome their slow start as the Centennials skated away with the 5-2 victory.

The Storm’s loss gives the rival teams a 1-1 record in their inaugural six-game Coquihalla Cup series.

The Storm will look to get back in the win column when they host the Revelstoke Grizzlies at McArthur Park Arena on Saturday (Nov. 7).

by Elora McCormack

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Storm drops 5-2 decision to Coquihalla Cup rivals

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