The Merritt Centennials inched closer to the Penticton Vees on Friday night - as did the West Kelowna Warriors.
The Centennials beat the visiting Vees 4-2 in BCHL action, while the Warriors scored an 8-1 blowout at home over the Cowichan Valley Capitals. In addition, the Vernon Vipers lost 4-2 at Salmon Arm.
With the win, Merritt (20-11-1-1) moved to within seven points of front-running Penticton (23-10-0-3) in Interior Division standings, while West Kelowna (14-11-2-7) is five points back of second-place Merritt.
Brock Balson and Brad McClure scored for the Vees, who drew even 2-2 early in the third period but lost on Regan Soquila's winner with one minute 19 seconds left in regulation. Soquila then scored again, into an empty net, with four seconds left to seal the deal.