It was a hard-hitting battle of the rookies, as the Prince George Spruce Kings took on Merritt Centennials in an exhibition game Sept. 2 at the South Cariboo Rec. Centre (SCRC).
Merritt won the evenly matched showdown 5-3, with an empty-net insurance goal in the final moments of the game.
The two British Columbia Hockey League Junior A teams, top heavy with rookies, used the game to gauge the new hopefuls and do some weeding, as they are deciding final rosters for the 2011/12 season.
Brett Harris, from 100 Mile House, who has already signed on this season with the Major Midget League Cariboo Cougars, suited up with Merritt, and according to Merritt head coach and general manager Luke Pierce, the Grade 11 student has talent.
"Brett has a real bright future, not only on our level, but beyond that. He came extremely close to making our team, but with high school to deal with still, it was a mutual decision between his parents, himself and us to not go in that direction."
Harris says it felt good to be out on the ice, playing in front of a home crowd.
"It was fun and I felt comfortable playing with the team. I got quite a lot of ice time and there were a couple of chances, but no goals."
He joined the team again the next night in Westside for another exhibition match.
In support of 100 Mile's current quest for a junior B team, Pierce says the community and the SCRC would be an ideal home for such a team.
"I think this is a tremendous facility and a great place for a junior team."
Spruce Kings head coach Dave Dupas says he was happy to have the team's first exhibition game of the season held in 100 Mile.
"It's a great building and there were lots of fans and a great atmosphere. It was nice to get away from Prince George."
Similar to Merritt's situation, Dupas had only three signed veterans along with 16 rookies on the ice.
"It was a good opportunity for getting the young guys in there to see how they managed. It was fast, decent hockey and I learned lots of things about the guys," he says, adding he ended up releasing a few following the game.
For the SCRC, the game was a test run for what might be if 100 Mile is successful in finding its own junior hockey B team.
SCRC facility manager Josh Dickerson says it was well received by the 250 or so people who filled the stands to watch.
"I think the fans came out and got a good taste of junior hockey. It was fast and hard hitting, and the guys were big. It was quite different from what we usually see on our ice."
He notes Prince George loved the facility and showed interest in coming back next August for a mini tournament.
"August is a tough sell, and as hosts, it's going to take a lot of work on our part. We'll see what we can do."