The 100 Mile House Wranglers gave up three first period goals and lost 3-2 in the local Kootenay International Junior Hockey League club's first game back after Christmas break on Dec. 29.
Alex Meeker and Tyler Povelofskie scored in the third period for the Wranglers. Justin Bond (2), Liam Cumberbirch and Michael Lynch tallied assists in the loss to the Chase Heat at the South Cariboo Rec. Centre.
Alex Hanson won star of the game for 100 Mile House. Zane Steeves made 26 saves.
The Wranglers have a shot at redemption tonight (Dec. 30) in Chase, which trail 100 Mile House by four points with two games in hand for second place in the Doug Birks Division.
Povelofskie is expected to miss some upcoming games with an injury he sustained to his mouth from a body check into the boards.
A bit of controversy struck in the third period on a disallowed goal by Lynch that could have tied the game.
Wranglers coach Dale Hladun says from the bench it was tough to see.
"The goal judge is there for a reason and the ref is there... the guys were cheering it went in. But from my perspective, you couldn't see it. If that's what their call is, then that's what their call is."
However, the coach notes: "If we had to hope for a controversial goal to tie the game for us, then we didn't come with the right mind frame."
The Wranglers have been flat even heading into the Christmas break, and the boys need to be more focused and disciplined if they want to "run with the big dogs" in the KIJHL, Hladun adds.
"We had a chance to get into first place with a couple of wins here and now all of a sudden the opponent that's chasing us is within striking distance."