With a commanding 6-0 win over the County of Grande Prairie JDA Kings, the Blackfalds Wranglers are Alberta Junior B champions.
Game MVP Garrett Glasman scored two goals in the championship match, and says his team’s determination was the deciding factor.
“We played a complete 60 minutes; a great effort. We just outplayed them basically. They’re a tough team; they’re real rough and they’re a big team so it was a battle.”
Wranglers Captain Jordan Freake also credited the JDA Kings for being a tough team and hosting a great tournament with a loud crowd at the County Sportsplex.
However, after the game, the win hadn’t sunk in yet.
“It’s one of those things you can’t put in to words. It’s unbelievable; it’s so much fun. I mean, we work all year for this, we get here and we do this in this game. I couldn’t be more proud of the guys on the ice right now.”
There’s no question that goaltending played a big part in the win, and Blackfalds netminder Kyle Baumgardner got the shutout.
“We’ve got a great group of guys, everyone was working hard all weekend, and it worked out well for us. I think just all four lines were going. We’re so deep; we have so many players that are able to play each night that we just kept wearing them down.”
The Wranglers are next headed to the 2014 Keystone Cup in Abbotsford.
Freake competed at the western championships as a rookie four years ago, and can’t wait to return.
The JDA Kings earned their spot in the finals by beating the North Peace Navigators, who they lost to in the NWJHL championships.
The Navs beat the St. Albert Merchants three-one for the bronze medal.
 
