The 100 Mile House Wranglers 'are' in the entertainment business after all, coach Dale Hladun likes to remind people from time to time.
Considering last weekend's thrilling finishes then, this team is giving the South Cariboo Rec. Centre crowd its money's worth.
“We have to keep the fans entertained to the last minute,” Hladun laughs, commenting on the 5-4 overtime win over the Sicamous Eagles on Dec. 6 and the 5-4 double overtime win over the Revelstoke Grizzlies on Dec. 7.
And considering both clubs are Doug Birks Division rivals, those four points were important for the second place Wranglers. So it was a big weekend, Hladun says. But the local Kootenay International Junior Hockey League club has its sights set on something higher. The Wranglers are chasing the Storm.
“Those are definitely points we want, but we have to catch Kamloops,” the coach adds. “Our goal is to finish first.”
100 Mile House trails Kamloops by a handful of points with a couple of games in hand. The clubs meet at the South Cariboo Rec. Centre on Dec. 12.
“This weekend also showed we're pretty deep,” says Hladun of the Wranglers, who have been doing without a number of key players at different times in recent weeks, as a banged-up Prince George Spruce Kings team of the British Columbia Hockey League dips into our local Junior B talent pool.
However, that relationship benefits both clubs, especially Wranglers players, the coach explains.
“It adds confidence. As much as they're proud to be a Wrangler and want to be here, they do have aspirations of playing at higher levels. The strength of our program will be the alumni. Who we've moved up and who has benefitted from the Wranglers organization.”
The coach says he was really happy with the play of Nick McCabe, Brady Ward and Justin Bond, a line that is really coming together, stepping up and becoming an offensive threat.
The recently-signed Jaydon Gilding also made quite an impression on his first ride with the Wranglers, netting two goals in his first junior hockey game in about eight months, including the overtime winner in front of the home crowd at the South Cariboo Rec. Centre on Dec. 6.
Gilding, 18, played for Hladun in Princeton in 2012-13 and more recently with the Abbostford Pilots of the Pacific Junior Hockey League in 2013-14. He's currently studying business at the University of the Fraser Valley. The Wranglers have been thin on defence all season, and Hladun is happy to have him in the lineup again after Christmas.
“I like Jaydon a lot. Our team is excited to have another good defenceman on the back end. I said to him when he scored his first one: 'Careful, Jaydon. Don't set that bar too high.'”
While talking about his game-winning shot, Gilding says his first game was one to remember.
“I had a little bit of time to skate into it and blast it. It deflected off somebody and ended up in the back of the net. It's a good goal in my books. I went up there hoping to get back into game shape a little bit, and ended up on the scoresheet a few times. Obviously with a big goal in overtime.”
The atmosphere inside the rink was awesome, Gilding adds.
"It's really cool having the whole city behind the hockey team. I heard [100 Mile House] has really good fans and a really good facility and obviously [Hladun] is a really good coach. I'm excited about the opportunity up there.”
Goalie Kristian Stead made 36 saves in the Dec. 6 win.
Tyler Garcia and Bond (2) also found the back of the net for 100 Mile House.
Jayden Syrota (2), Michael Lynch (2), McCabe (3), Austin Turner and Bond tallied assists on Dec. 6.
On Dec. 7, it was Lynch scoring the winner in extra time.
A. Turner, Brett Harris (2), and Josh Odelein also scored for 100 Mile House.
Tavis Roch, Syrota (3), A. Turner, Harris and McCabe tallied assists.
After the Storm matchup, the Wranglers travel to Summerland on Dec. 13, before returning to 100 Mile House to host Chase on Dec. 14.
Three games in three days won't be easy, Hladun says. “But, that's got to be a part of it.”