A home-ice victory remains elusive for the 100 Mile House Wranglers following a 4-3 loss to the Sicamous Eagles and a 6-2 loss to the Fernie Ghostriders.
This season has proven a rocky one for the Wranglers so far having won only two games and lost nine. By contrast, the Eagles are currently the team to beat in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League with a record of 10 wins to one loss.
When the Wranglers took to home ice last Friday they played a decidedly more conservative game. Head coach Dale Hladun said in previous interviews his team was being killed on penalties and his team did their best to avoid the penalty box.
This strategy paid off early in the first period as neither team seemed able to score a goal. However, with six minutes to go in the first period, the Eagles snuck two back-to-back goals by Wrangler goalie Ivan Tolsma putting the team on the backfoot.
Throughout the second period, the Wranglers were unable to capitalize on power plays or get a goal. The Eagles meanwhile were able to score another goal late in the second period and within the first minute of the third period.
Midway through the first period Wrangler forward Ethan Davey finally broke the Eagles’ scoring streak scoring first one and then a second goal on a powerplay. Invigorated by the cheering of the crowd the Wranglers kept in the fight with Memfis Burgeson bringing the Wranglers’ score up to three.
The Eagles dug in their heels and even when the Wranglers pulled their goalie during the final minute their defense kept the hometown team from forcing the game into overtime.
On Saturday night the Ghostriders dominated the ice despite the Wrangler’s best efforts. Their larger and faster players allowed them to score two goals in the first period putting 100 Mile firmly on the defensive.
Davey once again broke the deadlock early in the second period giving hope for a comeback. The Ghostriders soon crushed that with an additional three goals, one on a Wrangler powerplay. Thankfully Wrangler forward Kaden Ernst was able to answer with a powerplay goal of his own.
Throughout the third period, the Wranglers kept up the pressure but proved unable to close the Ghostriders’ lead, who in turn widened their lead by a final goal. The Wranglers will not return to home ice until Nov. 3 when they play the Princeton Posse.