The 100 Mile Wranglers were out-manned, out-shot and out-experienced when they were shutout 6-0 by the Kamloops Storm at the South Cariboo Rec. Centre in front of 621 home-town fans on Oct. 18.
The Wranglers had a short bench with only 13 skaters and two goalies and were outshot 63-21.
The Kamloops squad is a much more experience team with less than a handful of rookies compared to the Wranglers, which has a handful of players with Kootenay International Junior Hockey League experience.
Despite the odds, the Wranglers held the Storm scoreless in the first period, but then the dam broke and the visitors score three goals in both the second and third frames.
General manager/coach Doug Rogers said the Kamloops Storm was full value for its victory.
Wranglers goalie Nathan Warren was outstanding between the pipes, as he turned aside 57 of 63 Storm shots.
If it was not the great play of Nathan Warren in net, the score would have been far less respectable, Rogers added.
While he wasn’t pleased with the outcome of the game, he was philosophical about the experience for the players.
“It shows that we have some substantial work to do to understand junior hockey and its commitments and requirements both on and off the ice.”
Rogers said the team was looking forward to Sunday’s game against the Summerland Heat “when we will have an opportunity to have a better showing.”
The Wranglers had a come-from-behind 3-2 victory over the steam.
For the rest of the story, be sure to read the Oct. 23 edition of the 100 Mile House Free Press.