After splitting the first two games of the 2016 KIJHL Championship in Kimberley, 100 Mile House Wranglers coach Dale Hladun says he thinks his boys have a really good chance of winning the series against the Kimberley Dynamiters.
The Wranglers won the first game 2-1, but lost the second game 4-1, thanks to a natural hat trick from Dynamiters captain Jason Richter.
Hladun notes Kimberley is a hard rink to win in, as it has a good fan base with about 1,200 spectators each game.
“I think the boys played absolutely great. In fact, it was a bit disappointing we didn’t win both games.
“I liked the effort and our chances of winning the series.”
Veteran Michael Lynch is still day-to-day regarding his return to the Wranglers lineup, and Hladun says he’s not that close yet.
“We have 20 healthy guys we can dress, so we’ve been using them.”
Hladun says the Wranglers were physical with the Dynamiters in Kimberley.
“We were involved, but I think we can elevate that part of our game at home.”
The coach says Ryan Friesen was a standout for the Wranglers in both games in Kimberley.
He also liked Tyler Povelofskie’s work.
“We put [Povelofskie] on the back end of the power play and he did a good job. I thought [goalie] Zane Steeves was steady and he was as strong if not stronger than their goaltender all weekend.”
However, Hladun notes Richter took his team on his shoulders in game 2 when he scored the natural hat trick.
“If we can do a better job of neutralizing him, we should be able to take hold of the series pretty good.”
The coach and general manager says the Wranglers did not play as physical in game 2 and that gave Kimberley a little too much open ice to work in.
“We have to be more aware of that tonight … I think Kimberley is concerned about coming to 100 Mile House for three games in a row.”
Game 3 of the seven-game series goes tonight (March 29) at the South Cariboo Rec. Centre, starting at 7 p.m.
Games 4 and 5 will also be held in 100 Mile House on March 30-31, starting at 7 p.m., and if necessary, the series will switch back to Kimberley for games 6 and 7 on April 3-4.
