Sports

from January 20 - 2022

Opinion

Have a sports story tip? Tell us about it by calling 250-378-4241 or emailing newsroom@merrittherald.com. Past Cents earn Hobey Baker noms

Jake Courtepatte A pair of NEWSROOM@ ex-Merritt MERRITTHERALD.COM Centennials have the chance to win college hockey’s most prestigious individual trophy.

Zach Metsa and Matthew Kopperud, who would have skated together shortly in the BCHL’s 2016-17 season as Cents, have both been nominated for the Hobey Baker Award.

They are on a shortlist of 19 players up for the trophy, which is given annually to NCAA hockey’s top player and is based on strength of character, on-ice performance and academic achievement.

Kopperud, a forward from Denver, was a staple on the Centennials’ front end from 2016 through to 2019, earning a scholarship to Arizona State University after a breakout final season with the Cents that saw him pot 51 points in 49 games.

Metsa, a defenseman, spent just one season with the Cents, though it was a memorable one - while manning the blue line, he also managed to post 27 points in his 57 games played, before heading off to one of the top-ranked college hockey schools in North America, Quinnipiac University in Connecticut.

Cents fans can vote for each alumni to win the award at www.hobeybaker.com.

BC Winter Games cancelled

More than 1,800 athletes were given the news on Jan. 14 that the BC Winter Games this year has been cancelled.

Set for Vernon next month, organizers made the announcement that the Games would not proceed due to a number of reasons, chief being the ongoing pandemic and external factors like wildfires and floods.

TOP: Hobey Baker nominee Zach Metsa while skating with the Merritt Centennials in the 2016-17 BCHL season. BOTTOM: Matthew Kopperud celebrates a goal for the Centennials in the 2018-19 BCHL season. File photos

Merritt Centennialsvs

JAN. 22 - SALMON ARM SILVERBACKS: 7:00 P.M. JAN. 25 - VERNON VIPERS: 7:00 P.M.

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THURSDAY, January 20, 2022 • 19 REBUILDING THE COQ

CONTAIN-IT STORAGE

■ Approved mini-storage ■ On-site rentals ■ Secured ■ Sale of New & Used storage containers 1750 Hill Street ■ Phone: 250-315-3000

PLEASE RECYCLE THIS NEWSPAPER

THE CHURCHES OF MERRITT WELCOME YOU

Crossroads Community Church

2990 Voght St. • 250-378-2911• Service Time: Sundays 10:00 a.m. Merritt Baptist Church

Sunday service (indoors), 10 am. Phone (250)378-2464 for more info and for prayer support. Merritt Lutheran Fellowship

in St. Michael's Anglican Hall • 250-378-9899 Service Time: 3rd Sunday each month 1:00 p.m. Sacred Heart Catholic Church

Corner of Jackson & Blair • 250-378-2919 Mass Time: Sundays 9:00 a.m. St. Michael’s Anglican Church

1990 Chapman St. • 250-378-3772 Service Times: 2nd and 4th Sundays only - 10:00 a.m. Trinity United Church

Corner of Quilchena & Chapman • 250-378-5735 Service Time every Sunday - 10 am Somang Mission Community Church (SMC)

1755 Coldwater Ave. (The Cadet Hall) Sunday Service Time: 4:00 pm • 250-280-1268

TOP: Paving continues through any weather conditions at Murray Flats. TOP RIGHT: A culvert is prepared at Mine Creek. BOTTOM RIGHT: A panel is installed via crane at Jessica Bridge. LEFT: Crews work to repair sites near the Othello Interchange.