Quinn Ferris wore the cowboy hat after a 4-2 win over the Revelstoke Grizzlies on Sept. 27.
The 100 Mile House Wranglers goalie got the honour, chosen by the players after each game, having stopped 18 shots in what coach Dale Hladun called a huge “bounce back” game for the young net minder following a shaky performance earlier in the season.
“He was important to the victory,” Hladun says. “And our players have a lot of confidence in him. That’s important for everyone all around.”
Getting the cowboy hat, the coach adds, that’s “a sign of respect right there.”
The Wranglers were up 3-0 in front of the 452 in attendance at the South Cariboo Rec. Centre with goals by Austin Turner, Stephen Egan and Brady Ward, before Revelstoke (4-2-1) scored with one second left in the second period and then again at the 10:50 mark of the third.
However, new roster addition Brett Harris, from Michael Lynch and Tavis Roch, netted the insurance goal seconds later.
Justin Bond, Cooper Holick and Liam Cumberbirch also earned assists for 100 Mile House (4-2).
Lynch won the home team’s star of the game.
A big difference this season is there’s more leadership in the dressing room and on the ice, says Lynch, an assistant captain who was part of the team’s inaugural run last season.
“I think the boys are doing a real good job,” he says. “We have some good returning players and some new rookies that are holding their own out there.”
On Sept. 26, the Osoyoos Coyotes (7-0), which look like a powerhouse club early this season, beat 100 Mile House 4-1.
Defenceman Nick Headrick was named the Wranglers star of the game, while Luc Gradisar, who notched a hat trick, was the star for Osoyoos.
Gradisar potted three goals – two in the first and one in the second period – and Colin Bell added another for Osoyoos before 100 Mile House’s Devan Suidy, from Cole Zimmerman, found the back of the net to break the shutout late in the third period.
Kristian Stead made 28 saves for 100 Mile House.
The Wranglers host Doug Birks Division rival Kamloops Storm (3-3-0-1) on Oct. 3, while the Princeton Posse (2-2-1-1) are in town on Oct. 10. The Wranglers hit the road and play the Sicamous Eagles (4-4) on Oct. 11.
The Storm rolling into town is “a real good test” for the local Junior B club, says coach Hladun.
“As good as Revelstoke has come out of the gate, I think it will be Kamloops we have to face to be first in this division. They’re experienced. They’re going to have a good power play, they’re well-coached, and they know how to win.”
The Storm blew the Wranglers out of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League playoffs in four games in round two last season.
Lynch says he knowns Kamloops is a good team, but he’ll approach that game like he does any other – “and just give ‘er.”
