The Merritt Centennials took an early 3-0 lead on the road but couldn't hang on, falling to the Victoria Grizzlies by a 7-4 score at the Bear Mountain Arena.

Alex MacMillan, Andrew Pickering and Jeff Jones did the early damage for the Cents, but goals from Wesley Myron and Dustin Mowrey drew the Grizzlies within a goal before the end of the first period.

It was all Victoria in the middle frame, as Brandon Fagerheim scored the first of five goals for the home team at the 3:56 mark of the period. Brad Pawlowski, Mowrey, Spencer Copp and Myron piled on to cap the offence prior to a scoreless third.

Richie Virtanen relieved Colin Fernandes after Merritt's early flurry and needed to stop just 13 shots in 48 minutes of action. Riley Wall was bombarded for 49 shots and took the loss.

The Centennials wrap their four-game Coastal road swing on Sunday with a visit to Alberni Valley, while the Grizzlies host the Westside Warriors.