League-leading, rookie goalie Adam Derochie turned away 41 shots and won star of the game for the 100 Mile House Wranglers in their 3-2 win over the Chase Heat on Dec. 11.
The local Kootenay International Junior Hockey League club, which currently trail the Kamloops Storm by four points for the Doug Birks Division lead with two games in hand, is heading into a weekend home stand against the Revelstoke Grizzlies (Dec. 18-19) before ten days off at Christmas break.
100 Mile House’s next six games are against Doug Birks Division opponents.
Coach Dale Hladun says fourth place Revelstoke, which knocked off the Storm in overtime on Dec. 12, is capable of beating anyone in the division.
“We’re going to have our hands full both games this weekend. I like to think our guys will rise to the occasion. We’re pretty hungry to stay in the hunt for first.”
While talking about the Chase game, in which the Wranglers were outshot 43-26, Hladun mentions the fantastic play of Derochie, who along with starter Zane Steeves has been the recipient of consistent praise from the coach, who calls them the “the best tandem in the league”.
“I’m in awe of how those two work together. You don’t see a tandem like that very often.”
Steeves, a 19-year-old from Red Deer, Alberta, is 13-8 on the season with a save percentage of .926 and goals against average of 2.49.
Derochie, an 18-year-old from Maple Ridge, is 7-2 this year and has the best save percentage in the league (.946) while allowing 2.08 goals a game.
“Me and Zane have a very good relationship,” says Derochie, echoing Hladun. “We always help each other. Obviously we’re competing for jobs, but I feel if you cheer on each other, you play way better. I feel that shows. We’re both playing well.”
Derochie played major midget for the Vancouver Northeast Chiefs last season. He’s enjoying his first year of Junior B hockey, especially in small town 100 Mile, where fans fill the rink and recognize him around town.
Looking ahead, Derochie says “one huge thing” the team needs to improve on is its discipline, if they want to compete for a division title.
“We’re a really aggressive team and teams don’t like to play us because of that. I think if we keep that up and stay away from the penalties we don’t need, I think we’ll be really successful.”
“We know we’re a winning team,” he adds. “We go out there everyday with full confidence. Most of the time, we get the result we want.”
Against Chase at the South Cariboo Rec. Centre on Dec. 11, with 415 fans in attendance, Cole Zimmerman, from Liam Cumberbirch and Todd Bredo, put the Wranglers on the board with a power play goal in the first period. The teams went scoreless in the second period and an unassisted Jaydon Gilding goal put the Wranglers up 2-0 early in the third frame. Chase scored to make it 2-1, but Ryan Friesen, from Kolby Page and Tate Page, responded shortly after with the insurance goal and eventual game-winner.
