The 100 Mile House Wranglers recent road trip saw the club head south for two games against two of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League's stronger teams.
The Junior B expansion club came back with a point, dropping a contest in double-overtime 5-4 to the Kamloops Storm (13-3-0-0) on Oct. 25, before a 4-3 loss to the North Okanagan Knights (8-6-0-1) on Oct. 26.
In Armstrong against North Okanagan, the Wranglers started well, outshooting the Knights in the first period and jumping out to a 2-0 lead on goals by Lane Van de Wetering, assisted by Connor Sloan and Henry Hart, and by Luke Santerno (Sloan, Jayden Syrota).
The second period, however, was another story. Coach/general manager Doug Rogers called it “our worst” period of the season.
“It was truly disappointing to see a second period that lacked the enthusiasm and work ethic that we have become known for. [Goalie] Kristian Stead kept us in it during the second, but scrambling to try and get the momentum back in the third, after such a one-sided period in favour of the Knights, was tough to do.”
100 Mile House was outshot 21-5 in the frame. The game was tied 2-2 after 40 minutes. In the third, a goal by Michael Lynch (Hart) tied the game 3-3, but the Knights scored shorthanded with 8:40 on the clock to take the 4-3 win.
Compared to the previous meeting, it was a different – and complete – Wranglers team that faced-off against Kamloops. The Wranglers basically gave the division-leading Storm all they could handle in a 5-4 double-overtime loss. This following a 6-0 loss in 100 Mile House on Oct. 18 when the Wranglers only dressed 13 players.
Needless to say, having a full bench helped.
“We received a solid effort throughout the lineup, top to bottom,” Rogers says. “We also put together a complete game, start to finish, against a very good team. We match up well on the Olympic-sized ice in Kamloops as our skill players have more time and space.
“I was very proud of the effort the players put forth during this game. They deserve a lot of credit for their effort and hard work.”
Santerno, Sloan and Stephen Egan scored for the Wranglers in the second period and Lynch added one in the third. Assists went to Syrota, Van de Wetering and Lynch. Goalie Nathan Warren made 47 saves on 52 shots and will get the start at the South Cariboo Rec. Centre against Kamloops tonight (Oct. 30).
“[Warren] has played very well against Kamloops in the last two games,” says Rogers, adding if the Wranglers play like they did in the double overtime loss, they will have a good showing this evening.
“Our kids get energized by the great community support that comes to every home game, so with a big crowd anticipated for Wednesday, it will help our players be ready for Kamloops.”
They play Kamloops as visitors again on Nov. 1.
The Wranglers (6-8-0-2) continue to modify their roster prior to the Jan. 10 player movement deadline. The team recently signed forward Donovan Law, 17, and defenceman Jordan Low, 17, who are affiliated with the British Columbia Hockey League's Prince George Spruce Kings. To make room for the new additions, the Wranglers released forward Briar McNaney, 20, and defenceman Kyle Serup, 18, and still have the ability to make up to eight roster changes prior to the deadline.
100 Mile House currently sits tied for third in the Doug Birks Division of the Okanagan/Shuswap Conference with 14 points.