The 100 Mile House Wranglers are 1-1 in Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL) pre-season play going into their final exhibition game tonight (Sept. 11) at the South Cariboo Rec. Centre.
On Sept. 7, the Wranglers travelled to the Princeton District Arena to take on the Princeton Posse and came away with a 7-0 win.
Goalie Kristian Stead kept the Wranglers in the game early on, explains general manager/coach Doug Rogers.
“We were outshot in the first period and (Stead) kept us at 0-0 after the first period. Stead has been playing extremely well in the pre-season and continued his strong play in this game.”
The Wranglers lost their first exhibition game 4-3 against the Kamloops Storm on Sept. 4.
“I don't put a lot of importance or emphasis on exhibition games, win or lose. Most teams do not play their entire roster as it will look on opening day.
"[On Saturday], we went with a lineup that will likely be an opening day lineup, minus two or three changes.”
Princeton did not dress their full lineup, Rogers adds.
Colorado native Adam Shaner, 18, scored all three goals for 100 Mile House in their loss to Kamloops.
However, it was another line that led the Wranglers offensively last weekend in Princeton.
“The line of Brady Ward, Kevin Raimundo and Darcy Flaherty played very well, with Ward picking up a hat trick. All three players on that line have significant KIJHL experience.”
The Wranglers will meet the Storm again tonight (Sept. 11). Game time is 7 p.m.
“We will provide some players with a last opportunity to make an impression to stick with the Wranglers. We are still at 28 players as of [Monday] and I would like to be down to 25 or 26 by Wednesday. We will then get down to 23 by Thursday.”
The pucks drops on the Wranglers inaugural season at 7:30 p.m. in Golden on Friday (Sept. 13) when they take on the Rockets.