Playoff's Round #2 vs. South Huron
The Kitchener Lady Rangers U18 “A’s” faced off in round two of the playoffs against the South Huron Sabres.
A good first period start in game #1 saw the Lady’s working hard to battle a very solid South Huron team. Penalty trouble in the second saw the Lady’s PK in too much action. Unable to capitalize on a lengthy 5 v. 3, the Lady’s managed to maintain a solid effort in the third ending game #1 in a “0-0” tie.
Scoring on their first two shots of the game, game #2 started slowly for the Lady’s. After a first “no set up” PP, the second Lady’s PP would see a nicely tipped D shot to bring the game within one after one. A penalty filled second for both sides would see the Sabres take one just before the end of the second. Taking advantage of this early in the third, the Lady’s would tie it on a nicely ran low-middle play. With just over three minutes left in the third, a non-icing call (I’m really not sure what icing actually is) put the Sabres back on top. With the goalie pulled for the extra attacker, South Huron would take an interference penalty (it’s hard getting beat up in front of the net) giving the Lady’s a 6 v. 4. Just 12 seconds into the PP, the Lady’s would find the mesh (ah the importance of shots on goal) to keep the series tied at 2 points each heading back to Exeter for Game #3.
If you’re driving all that way on a Monday night, you want to make it count. A first shift SOG would be the only opportunity of the first for the Lady’s who weathered a South Huron storm. With back-to-back penalties (I will limit the officiating comments), the Lady’s found themselves down by one after the first. A better second saw the Lady’s capitalize on their own PP to tie things up at one heading into the break. If they were keeping it interesting for the fans, what a job they did in the third! Continuing the penalty box parade, the Lady’s battled, fought, dumped, chased and pressured the Sabres in a remarkably well played Lady Ranger period of hockey, killing off a minute thirty-two shorthanded to end the third. Remaining tied at “one”, a full ten-minute 4 v. 4 OT period (3 v. 4 with still twenty-eight seconds shorthanded) would see the Lady’s score just under three minutes in. With seven minutes remaining, to say everyone was on the edge of their seats, would be an understatement.
Having lost both the regular season games with South Huron, round two, with three games ending in three ties, again could have gone either way. With many penalties and power plays the coaching staff understand the disappointment and frustration some feel with reduced ice time. We cannot emphasize enough, however, the importance of every shift. The Stratford series were both one goal games. This series saw three tied games before the OT winning period. Although your contributions may feel less, they are absolutely no less important to the “team’s” success. Congratulations on winning the Central West Division. Well done and well deserved!
On behalf of the Kitchener Lady Rangers players and staff, we would like to thank South Huron for a great 2025 / 2026 regular season and a hard fought, well played playoff round.
