The Kitchener Jr Rangers MD Red team blanked
the Waterloo Wolves White team 1 to 0 to remain undefeated after playing 9
games this year.
The two teams have faced off three times already this season with the Rangers winning two, Stratford Championship included, and tying once. The Rangers were dominating at puck possession and outshot the Wolves 44 to 10 in the game. However, don’t let that take anything away from Braxton Mathews who was game saving in the match. Mathews stopped two breakaways and made an exceptional toe save late in the game to preserve the win.
Daniel Gubbels scored the lone goal for the Rangers from Keenan Hack. Gubbels was fantastic all game and used his speed to beat defenders and create chances. His line mates, Ryan McConnell and Aydan Costello, were equally as good and generated a lot of traffic and scoring opportunities.
Nicholas Zammit was a work horse all game. His line back checked great all game and Ethan Lafleur and Connor Coughlin were masterful at cycling the puck down low.
Carter Niall has been playing center this season opposed to his regular wing position. Niall was a back-checking machine and worked hard with the spark plug Jacob Fisher. The line is always a threat with Jacob Reid-Brant looking dangerous in the offensive zone.
The defence was stingy yet again for the Rangers. Kailum Belanic put on a back-checking clinic when he raced back to break up what appeared to be a for sure break away. He was able to lift the Wolves player stick and prevent a shot against. Logan Hock was paired with Hack and the two moved the puck with ease. Kodi Blackshaw continued to get off crippling hard shots from the point and Noah Park showed why he is considered one of the smartest players in all MD hockey. Yianni Peppas was asked to move to the left side at the start of the eason and has ben playing the point like a general out there. Peppas is always reliable and a threat to score.
The Rangers will play back to back home games for the first time this season and face the Brantford 99ers on Sunday. If the Rangers can repeat their performance today things will go well for the team.
Go Rangers!