The Kitchener Jr Rangers MD Red
team are the Stratford Warriors Early Bird Champions 2017!!!
The Rangers won a hard-fought battle against their Waterloo Wolves White rivals with a score of 2 to 1.
The Rangers knew the Wolves were going to work hard and try to fore check them into their zone and were ready to match the work level and do whatever it took to win the game. The coaches challenged the Ranger defense to be quarterbacks on the ice and control the break outs. The wingers were challenged to win every board battle and chip the puck past the Wolves and use their speed to get every loose puck. The team did not disappoint their coaches.
Kodi Blackshaw, Noah Park, Keenan Hack, Logan Hock, Kailum Belanic and Yianni Peppas controlled the Rangers zone and keep the Wolves outside. They were as stingy a group as they could be and only allowed nine shots on Braxton Mathews. Mathews was poised playing the puck well from his net and exceptionally sharp when tested. Mathews was a calming presence for the Rangers.
Carter Niall stepped his game up for the Rangers and assisted the equalizer for the Rangers when Jacob Fisher scored on the power play. Jacob Reid-Brant was flying all game and tested the Wolves defense as he cut wide and used his speed to win battles. Niall then used the power play to score the game winner from Blackshaw. The Rangers special teams were clicking all tournament.
Aydan Costello was once again brilliant. His line mates, Daniel Gubbels and Ryan McConnell, were equally as effective and were needed late in the game after a timeout to hem the Wolves in their zone. The line played an amazing tournament and showed patience and high hockey IQs in every match.
With only 30 seconds remaining and a faceoff in the Rangers zone the coaches called on Connor Coughin for the draw. Coughlin was a beast in the faceoff circle and played an extremely dependable game for the Rangers. In fact, his whole line was effective and made plays to keep the pucks deep and not turn it over. Ethan Lafleur continued to thrill his coaches with his passing and ability to slow the game. Nicholas Zammit was feisty and showed his talent and compete level were as high as anyone’s in the league.
Focused and determined. The Rangers knew hard work trumped talent and made sure they were the hardest workers on the ice. Everyone was “ALL IN” !!!
Way to go Champion Rangers!