Mar 19, 2017 | Mike Radatus | 648 views
Rangers Win Semi-Finals and Berth in Alliance!
The Kitchener Jr Rangers MD Red team stepped one foot closer to their season long goal of winning an Alliace banner by beating the Cambridge Hawks 4 to 1.
The Rangers went into the game with a 3 to 1 series lead and needed a tie or better to end the Hawks season and advance to the Alliance Championships representing Kitchener Minor Hockey. The Rangers took it in the way of a win and won the series 5 to 1 in points. It was an impresive series played by the boys. The team moved the puck well and battled for possession and have gelled as a unit embracing the team first approch. The Rangers outscored the hawks 8 to 3 in the series and the hard forechewcking and backchecking of the Rangers was too much for the Hawks.
Connor Coughlin`s opening goal was symbolic of the teams performance with his determination and effort as he fought off the Hawks defender and went high on the goalie. He was sent in for the goal by Carter Niall. Niall was on top of his game and ready for battle. He set up the next goal as well and Justin Hay was rewarded when he out muscled the hawks and banged it in for the eventual game winner. Logan Hock rocked a beauty in for insurance from Brett Herniman and Coughin. Nicholas Zammit put in the empty net goal and capped off a great series with another impresive game.
As mentioned above, it was a tight checking defensive performance that wore down the Hawks and Joshua McDonald, Keenan Hack, Noah Park, Rashaun Wialliamson, Yiannis Peppas and Hock were an absolute domination in each and every game. The pairs were all clicking and communicating well. The Rangers coaches rolled all the pairs with absolute confidence.
Denver Heiman was a work horse all game. He had the drive and heart of a warrior. The speed and hockey sense of Jacob Fisher, Carter Bowman and Braydon Houlihan drove the fits into Hawks defense and had them running around in ther end.
Aiden Radatus held the fort down in the first peiod before the Rangers got on the board and made some great saves in important times for the Rangers. Radatus played focused and confident and tracked the puck. He was a calm presence in nets for the Rangers.
Up next the Rangers will have home ice advantage against the Waterloo Wolves Black. The two teams have had some close hard fought battles in the past so the Rangers will need to find a way to pick up their games even more and battle hard. The Rangers parents were loud and pumped the boys up again! Several players made mention on how great the atmosphere was in the building. The coaches are very proud of the boy and would like to thank the boys for their unselfish team first play and giving their best every shift! It has been a lot of fun being around such a great group.
Go Rangers.