Clearwater Midget Rec took on Merritt at the North Thompson Sportsplex on the weekend and the local squad won all three games.
Game one was a blow out. Merritt came out strong and got first goal. They played well until Clearwater got ahead later in the period and they seemed to give up. We beat them 9-2.
Second game we figured we didn't have to try, but they came to play hard. They again took the lead and kept it longer this time. At the midway point of the game, during the flood, coaches tore a strip off the Clearwater team, criticizing their effort. The effort definitely improved during the second half and we came backl for a 4-3 victory.
Third game was at 6:30 a.m. It was similar to the second in scoring. We did have better effort but Merritt seemed to have more hunger and came to play despite the early game time. At the end of the second period they were ahead 3-1.
Merritt in general is much larger, older, and rougher. They played undisciplined hockey in the third period and took repeated penalties. Clearwater players were getting under their skin. The result was four Clearwater goals in the third for a 5-3 victory. Fifth goal was an empty netter.
Merritt has lost all their games against Clearwater this year. Clearwater will finish second in the league and will face Merritt again for first round playoffs early February.