For starters you actually can’t get unwrangled but it is possible to lose to Wranglers. Doing it after beating the KIJHL league leading Revelstoke Grizzlies twice makes it hard to fathom on the best of days. Just when we assumed they had found the recipe for success they found a way to deliver badly burnt toast.
Let’s begin with the good news, Chase met up for the 2nd time in a week with Revelstoke, this time at the Art Holding Memorial Arena on Tuesday the 1st of November. The crowd of 140 ardent fans was small, however the game was the most entertaining 60 plus minutes this season. Ryan Keylor scored his 3rd of the season from Parker Garries and Cale Nahorney and the 1st period ended 1-0 Heat. In the 2nd the visitors on the man advantage evened the contest. In the 3rd the always hard working Aidan Brown from Trevor Kennedy and Mikkel Hrechka scored on a powerplay. A little over 3 minutes later the Grizzlies got that one back. It was time for 3 on 3 overtime for 5 minutes and the two goalies stood tall. Always an interesting way to finish off a game it was now time for a nail biting shootout. Brown was up first and with a lot of razzle dazzle scored, Revelstoke was denied by Roderic May, Kennedy scored followed by a Grizzly tally. Jalen Davidson was then stymied and May “Day” made everyone’s day by doing what he does so well, denying a goal. The Heat 3-2 winners versus the Grizzlies. Brown was all over the scoresheet in this contest earning star accolades.
Now to the disturbing, Friday night at the local ice barn versus Division rivals the 100 Mile House Wranglers. The Heat riding a 4 game win streak and an opportunity to increase distance in the standings versus the evening’s foe, don’t. That’s right they don’t seize opportunity, they play nice guys and lose, not by much but overall a lack of concerted effort. Wranglers end the 1st 2-0. Captain Kennedy in the 2nd starts digging his team out with a goal assisted by Hrechka and Davidson. 100 Mile House pushes Chase back in the ditch with a pair. Garrett Martin from Braeden Huth and Carter Spring makes it 4-2 after 40 minutes. In the 3rd Spring from Nahorney gets the 3rd Heat counter to make it close. The Heat fire 22 shots in the 3rd at the Wrangler net in a futile effort as Ryder Gregga stymies all but one to star versus the Heat. Too little too late versus a hot goalie.
Next up, another Tuesday night contest this time in Kamloops versus the Storm on the 8th. Two days later the Kelowna Chiefs come to town on the 10th at 7:00 pm at the Art Holding Memorial Arena. Its not until the 19th that the next home contest happens so put on your long john’s, your favourite touque and get out to Thursday’s hockey game.
