Coach Dale “Duner” Hladun is a happy man.
The 100 Mile House Wranglers won two of three games in hostile territory to open its 2014-15 Kootenay International Junior Hockey League campaign, which couldn't have started further from home, on the road for three games in three days – or five games in six days counting exhibitions – with stops in Grand Forks, Beaver Valley and Spokane, Wash.
Pleased with the effort in the lineup under tough circumstances, Hladun wasn't going to “eat their lunch” about the loss.
“That was character building,” he says of the taxing schedule. “Our guys were tired but I couldn't be prouder.”
Looking ahead to 100 Mile's home opener on Sept. 19, the coach talks a lot about leadership.
New and veteran players have already stepped-up, he says, mentioning goalie Kristian Stead, who spent many nights standing on his head in Wranglers colours last season.
“I thought Kristian Stead was huge for us all weekend,” says Hladun, adding he can see right away the team will follow 20-year-old captain Devan Suidy.
Assistant captains are Josh Odelein, 18, a defenceman from Saskatchewan, and returning forwards Lane van de Wetering, 18 and Michael Lynch, 19.
“Right away those guys showed why they should be wearing letters.”
Rookie goalie Quinn Ferris got his first start on Sept. 14, but was pulled early in the second period of the 4-1 loss to the Spokane Braves after three goals, and Stead went in to finish the game. Suidy, an acquisition from the Princeton Posse, notched the local club's only goal, while Nick Headrick, acquired from Kelowna, made the assist.
Down 3-1 late in the second period on Sept. 13, the Wranglers potted the next, and last, three goals of the game, getting the big 4-3 comeback win against the Nitehawks in Beaver Valley.
Stead made 37 saves on 40 shots. Micky Turner, Lynch, van de Wetering and Suidy found the back of the net for the Wranglers. Lynch, Headrick, Justin Bond and Jayden Syrota made assists.
Turner, a 108 Mile Ranch talent, scored the game-winner on Sept. 12, when the Wranglers opened the season against the Grand Forks Border Bruins, winning 4-2.
Stead made 46 saves. Suidy, Bond, and Stephen Egan scored goals, and Cole Zimmerman, Headrick, Lynch, Ward, Liam Cumberbirch and Suidy added assists.
Next, the Wranglers host the Summerland Steam in a home opener at the South Cariboo Rec. Centre at 7 p.m. on Sept. 19.
Vancouver Canucks great Cliff Ronning will be meeting with fans before the game.
The Osoyoos Coyotes and Revelstoke Grizzlies roll into town on Sept. 26 and Sept. 27, respectively.
