There was a good turnout for the 100 Mile House Wranglers Junior B Hockey Club's Blue & White game.
More than 200 spectators watched and cheered for the 34 prospects – 30 skaters and four goalies – as they skated fast, hit hard and left nothing in the gas tank during a game that will help determine which players formed the nucleus of the roster.
In his post-game comments, general manager/head coach Doug Rogers indicated he was pleased with what he saw – not only from the players but also the spectators.
"I am confident the blue/white game will provide the Wranglers with some player announcements in the near future. Once again the community support was outstanding."
As for the game itself, Team Blue, with club vice-president Greg Aiken behind the bench, knocked off Team White, with club president and governor Tom Bachynski behind the bench, 5-2.
There was no scoring in the first period, which saw both teams getting good chances, great saves, players driving to the net and a lot of crashing and banging. 100 Mile House product Kevin Raimundo delivered a couple of crushing body checks.
Team White's Brady Ward opened the scoring at 19:32 of the second period, which saw the boys settle down to play some hockey. Ward also got his team's second goal near the end of the second frame.
Team Blue pushed back with three unanswered markers in the second period on two goals by Lane Vanderwettering, including the game winner (one assist) and one by Luke Santerno (two assists). Connor Sloan chipped in with three helpers.
Mark Boyce of Canim Lake got the insurance goal in the third and Braeden St. Louis scored with three seconds left on the clock.
The third period featured a lot of hitting, as the boys wanted the coaching staff to see they have what it takes to handle the rough stuff.
Said Rogers: "Overall, I was pleased with the intensity brought forth in the Blue & White game and some players pushed themselves closer to being on the team."
The coach said the club wouldn't be making any player announcements until the coaching staff have to time to go over what they same during Main Camp.
"The first team practice will be on Aug. 28, and between now and then we will continue to work on player signings. In addition we will to continue to look at the possibility of some potential trades during this time to fill some gaps."
FAST bytes
• Aug. 28 – The Wranglers are hosting a Junior A exhibition tilt between the British Columbia Hockey League's Vernon Vipers and the Prince George Spruce Kings, starting at 7 p.m.
Admission is $5 at the door and it will be festival seating only at the South Cariboo Rec. Centre (SCRC) on Airport Road in 100 Mile House.
It is a revenue generator for the Wranglers, so folks can support the local Junior B club, while seeing the Vipers and Spruce Kings put on a show.
• Sept. 11 – This will be the Wranglers lone home pre-season exhibition game in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League. The Wranglers will be taking on the Kamloops Storm at SCRC, with the warm-ups starting at 6:30 p.m. and the puck dropping at 7.
Tickets are $20, and include a Wranglers souvenir T-shirt.