The Kitchener Jr Rangers MD Red team edged one step closer
to their goal of an Alliance Championship by clinching a birth in the
tournament with a 2 to 0 series winning game over the Waterloo Wolves Black
Thursday night.
The Rangers won the semi-final match up two games to zero and will have to wait to see who they play as the other semi final series is tied at a game a piece.
Aydan Costello opened the scoring for the Rangers after breaking in alone on a smart pass from Jacob Reid-Brant and Keenan Hack. Then in the final minute of the game Reid-Brant put the final nail in the Wolves season with an empty net goal.
The Rangers were fortunate to have Carter Niall return to the line up but were still without Ethan Lafleur and Jacob Fisher. The Rangers centres, Daniel Gubbels, Connor Coughlin and Costello once again stepped up and played a period on wing and two down the middle. Logan Hock remained as a forward and gave the team a solid forecheck. Nicholas Zammit and Ryan McConnell continued to have chemistry and cycled well.
The game was played on an Olympic sized surface so the team needed Yanni Peppas to slide back to his natural position on defense to help Kodi Blackshaw, Noah Park, Kailum Belanic and Hack. The defenders all were unbelievable.
Aiden Radatus recorded his 10th shutout of the season on his 23rd win of the year. Radatus was focused and ready and did a great job not allowing any rebounds to be available for the Wolves players.
The win was definitely a challenge and the Rangers give credit to the Wolves for their never give up attitude and character roster. Between the Wolves attack and the missing players, the coaches of the Rangers had to juggle things to try and find the right match ups. The coaches were proud of the players effort and their attitude of "team first" and appreciated everyone for willing to play in various roles.
Congratulations Rangers on taking the first to step in a long journey to a potential Alliance banner season!
Go Rangers!