A number of key Wranglers weren’t in the lineup when the local Kootenay International Junior Hockey League club faced off against the Doug Birks Division-leading Kamloops Storm in back-to-back games in Williams Lake and 100 Mile House, Nov. 28-29.
Despite the absence of Nick Headrick, Austin Turner, Tavis Roch and Stephen Egan, who were called up to the Prince George Spruce Kings of the British Columbia Hockey League, the Wranglers managed a 4-2 win against the Storm on Nov. 28, but fell 5-3 at the South Cariboo Rec. Centre on Nov. 29.
(Defenceman Jayden Syrota also missed the Nov. 28 game serving a suspension.)
As he’s known to be, goalie Kristian Stead was fantastic all weekend, turning away 34 pucks in Williams Lake on Nov. 28, and 23 on Nov. 29.
Stead definitely bailed the club out here and there, but overall, Wranglers coach Dale Hladun says the boys played well, considering the short bench and missing pieces.
“[In Williams Lake], we didn’t have three of our best offensive defencemen, and both are top centres. I was excited all week knowing we were shorthanded, and the kids were too, because it gave guys a chance to shine and a chance to buy in. They stepped up.”
Forward Michael Lynch did a great job playing defence in Williams Lake, and Liam Cumberbirch returned after missing about a month of hockey with a concussion.
While still not in top form, Cumberbirch managed to step into a puck slid out to the blue line by Mickey Turner and one-time it past the Kamloops goalie to put 100 Mile House on the board in the first period on Nov. 29.
It was his first goal of the season, and it was an impressive one, but Cumberbirch “acted like he did it before,” Hladun quips, pleased he got on the board.
“The character came to the forefront, and the effort. There’s a confidence amongst each other. I’ve got a tight room and the guys really do play for each other.”
100 Mile House hosts two division teams this weekend – the Sicamous Eagles at 7 p.m. on Dec. 6, and the Revelstoke Grizzlies at noon on Dec. 7.
“There’s a lot of confidence in that room,” the coach adds. “I don’t see why we can’t be in first place before Christmas break.”
Cole Weber, Cole Zimmerman, Brett Harris and M. Turner scored on Nov. 28. Nick McCabe, Harris, Lynch (2), Josh Odelein and Devan Suidy tallied assists.
Cumberbirch, Lynch and Syrota found the back of the net on Nov. 29. M. Turner, Suidy (2), Weber, Odelein and Harris got on the board with assists.
Stead was named Wranglers star of the game both nights.
