The 100 Mile Bantam Rep Wranglers sponsored by Napa Auto Parts were off to the Provincial Tier 4 Championships in Kitimat on March 17 to 21. The players, coaches and managers were treated to a banquet Saturday night where retired NHL player John Scott, voted fan favourite in the NHL All Stars game in 2016, gave an inspirational speech to the teams. The teams from all over BC were entertained by video clips of great hockey moments from each team.
Game 1
The 100 Mile Bantam Wranglers first game was against Windermere Valley Rockies. In the first period, forward Hannah Duff scored the opening goal for her team with assists going to Colton Huber-Hopkins and Aidan Moore. Then with a two on one, centerman Kyson Hopson slid a great pass over to forward Virgil Kennedy who scored 100 Mile’s second goal. The 100 Mile team dominated the first period.
Starting off the second period, the Wranglers couldn’t stay out of the penalty box, receiving nine penalties in that period. Goalie Joey Isaac was making some amazing saves keeping his team alive. The 100 Mile squad was playing short handed most of the second and Windermere was able to get two goals. Then captain Brayden Meyers-Brundage scored on a sharp angle shot from a nice pass by Hopson. With 10 seconds on the clock, Kennedy found the back of the net with the assist going to Meyers-Brundage.
To start off the third, Hopson shot top left to add another goal for the Wranglers. Still in the third, Colton Sanford slid a beauty of a pass from behind the net to Hopson who shot it top right to beat the goalie. The Rockies were able to get two more.
Then forward, Cole Allan shot at the goalie, the puck hit his stick and rebounded into the net to seal the win for the Wranglers! Isaac faced 57 shots.
Game 2
The second game of the Provincial was against the Prince Rupert Seawolves. The game started off with the Seawolves putting huge pressure on the Wranglers and goalie Ryan Chamberlain was getting peppered with shots. The 100 Mile team continued to play their physical game and ended up in the penalty box once again. The Seawolves were then able to get three quick goals near the end of the period and goaltender Chamberlain pulled himself to let teammate J. Isaac finish off the period.
The Wranglers could not get by the Seawolves defence to even get some shots off. Then Chamberlain was able to regroup and started the second period saving and facing many more shots. The team became frustrated and ended up in the penalty box and the Prince Rupert team was able to capitalize. Chamberlain pulled himself halfway through the second to let J.Isaac finish off the game. With just over a minute left on the clock, Hopson went from end to end with a spectacular pass from Meyer-Brundage to give the 100 Mile team a lift in spirits and scored a sharp angle goal.
In the third, the Seawolves were able to score three more. Kennedy who kept digging the whole game continued to put the pressure on regardless of the scoreboard and with just over a minute left scored with a sweet pass from Cameron Scott. The Wranglers lost 10-2. Goaltenders Chamberlain and Isaac faced 66 shots. The Wranglers only got 21 shots on their goalie.
Game 3
The third game was against the Langley Eagles. Both teams were very equally matched. 100 Mile was able to get on the board first with an awesome pass from Meyer-Brundage to Cole Allan who found the back of the net. That would be the end of the scoring for the 100 Mile team. They had some good chances but that darn puck wouldn’t go in the net. Goalie Isaac faced 62 shots on goal. The Eagles ended up taking the win 3-1.
Game 4
The fourth game was against the host city Kitimat. 100 Mile scored first when Hopson was on a breakaway, got tripped and passed it from his back to Meyers-Brundage who pushed it into the net. The Winterhawks then scored two to end the first.
Going into the second Kitimat got five goals. The 100 Mile squad looked defeated but they still had a period to go.
Then in the third, the Winterhawks got four more. The team knew a win was out of their reach but they did not give up. Finally down in the Winterhawk’s end, Scott was able to slide the puck past the goalie with an assist going to Hopson. The Wranglers were able to get one more when Hopson was behind the net and slipped it through the defence’s skates and Kennedy got it in the net! Goalie Ryan Chamberlain continued to make some crazy saves and faced 62 shots. 100 Mile lost 11-3.
Bronze medal game
Playing in the bronze medal game it was the Wranglers versus hometown favourites the Kitimat Winterhawks. The Wranglers kept working hard each period to try to catch up to the Winterhawks. In the end, Meyers-Brundage was able to clear the puck out of his end up to Hopson who shot a sharp angle goal to put a “1” on the scoreboard. Goalie Joey Isaac was known as the small but agile goalie with a wicked leather. He faced 50 shots.
All in all, the provincials saw the kids play some talented players from all over B.C. The 100 Mile Bantam Rep Wranglers will be remembered for their physical play and their unwavering effort. Great season players, coaches, parents, and family.