Photo: Penticton Vees
The Penticton Vees failed to close out the interior division semifinals on Thursday night at home.
The Centennials forced game six in Merritt after a 5-4 win, and a game-winner from rookie Rylan Van Uten late in the third period.
The Vees remain in command of the series 3-2 and will have another chance to end the series on Friday night.
After nine goals were scored between the two teams in the last two games, they combined for nine goals in game five alone. Merritt got goals from Van Unen, Cade Gleekel, Zach Zorn, Stephan Seeger and Zach Risteau.
Penticton responded tallies from Owen Sillinger, Mitch Meek, Jared Nash and Grant Cruikshank.