MARCH 19, 2014
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Wranglers look back on impressive inaugural season in KIJHL
Gaven Crites Free Press
O
ne theme comes up again and again when the 100 Mile House Wranglers reflect on their season – the local expansion club’s first in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League, which ended in the second round of the playoffs on March 12. The season was outstanding, and together, out of nowhere, the Wranglers trounced expectations. Underscoring that in the hallway at the South Cariboo Rec. Centre after the club’s last game was Connor Sloan, a skilled forward from West Kelowna who will likely dress for a Junior A team next season. “We’re an expansion team and no one really expected us to make it to the playoffs, and we made it to the second round. It’s tough to lose, but we should be proud of our accomplishments all season, and how far we went.” Having swept the Wranglers in Round 2 to win the division, the Kamloops Storm is moving on to the conference finals. Kamloops, among the Junior B hockey league’s top offensive talents, tallied 247 goals and finished number 1 overall in the regular season standings with 85 points. The Wranglers finished third in the Doug Birks Division with 54 points. Kamloops took the series in four games – 3-1 on March 12 and 5-2 on March 11 in 100 Mile House; and 3-0 on March 9 and 8-3 on March 8 in Kamloops. In the series, the Storm’s skilful puck possession and defensive pressure limited the Wranglers’ offensive output, and they peppered 100 Mile House goalie Continued on 5
Gaven Crites photo
Wranglers forward William Orrey skated over to captain Jaidan Ward after a 3-1 elimination loss in Game 4 to the Kamloops Storm in the second round of the playoffs at the South Cariboo Rec. Centre in 100 Mile House on March 12.