The Kitchener Jr
Rangers MD Red team came up just short to the Waterloo Wolves Black team 3 to 1
with a goal against on the empty net.
The Rangers found themselves in some penalty trouble early in the first period giving up a 5 on 3-man advantage. The Wolves took advantage and scored two goals on the penalties. However, the Rangers were not going to lay down without a fight. Carter Niall scored with just over 30 seconds remaining in the first on the power play from Joshua McDonald and Carter Bowman.
The second and third periods were back and forth with both teams trading chances. Aiden Radatus was solid for the Rangers and put aside several great chances to keep it a one goal game. But the Rangers just couldn’t get that tying goal. It sure wasn’t from a lack of effort though.
Brett Herniman, Denver Heiman, Braydon Houlihan, Niall, Bowman, and Nicholas Zammit played terrific hockey for the Rangers. They all were fore-checking and back checking none stop and were committed to winning the battles needed to win.
Justin Hay, Connor Coughlin and Jacob Fisher did a great job helping the defense out and winning key face-offs. The centers followed instruction from the coaches to push the puck forth in the offensive zone to neutralize the Wolves ability to break out and it proved effective. All three plays were amazing in all three zones.
Yianni Peppas, Logan Hock and McDonald played the bodies of the Wolves forwards and boxed them out in front of the net beautifully and Rashaun Williamson, Keenan Hack and Noah Park were all spark plugs for the Rangers and moved the puck out of the zone effectively all night.
The loss ended what was one of the most fun and successful seasons many of the boys ever had and the pride and respect of the boys is unmatched. It was nothing short of remarkable watching the boys come together and grow friendship and respect for each other. The Rangers Red are a tight group who always had one another’s back. We won together (Three Time Champions and Two Time Finalists) and lose together and never pointed fingers at each other and always picked up each other spirits if needed. You boys have your coaches respect and it was a true honour being on your team.
Thank you parents for putting your faith in our coaching staff and doing all that hockey parents do. Couldn’t have picked a better group if I tried.
Go Rangers, Go!