The Kitchener Jr Rangers came alive and fulfilled their
promise to play their game with a huge 4 to 0 win over the London Bandits.
The Rangers showed they could over come any obstacle and had many players who could step up when the Rangers were short players. Already missing Ethan Lafleur to injury, the Rangers were also missing Nicholas Zammit (personal) and Aiden Radatus (sickness) and the coaches needed players to step up and fill the holes.
Connor Coughlin moved to the wing to help his team set pairs on the wing and both Aydan Costello and Daniel Gubbels were asked to double shift and responded with dependable two-way play.
Jacob Reid-Brant opened the scoring with a beauty goal and celebration when he was sent in the zone by Costello. Ryan McConnell scored a rocket that was unassisted. Carter Niall battled hard on the power play from Keenan Hack, then again on the power play, Jacob Fisher used his speed to break free and made no mistakes with a beauty high glove side from Kodi Blackshaw and Kailum Belainc.
Braxton Mathews was again solid for the Rangers and was a game time decision. He stepped up for the team and gave them another great performance.
Noah Park battled hard for the Rangers and made some excellent plays moving the puck out of harms way. Yianni Peppas was a force for the Rangers and was again a leader on and off the ice. Keenan Hack used his speed and aggression to break up plays, jump into plays and create plays.
Logan Hock was again a force for the Rangers. In fact, in both games Hock was one of the most reliable forwards and that says a lot since Hock is playing out of position. Selected as a top defender he has stepped up for his team to fill the hole left with the Lafleur injury. His dedication is admirable.
The win catapulted the Rangers to the top spot after day one of the Alliance and put the team in the driver’s seat. However, the players and coaches know that the work has only started. The team will face their Kitchener rivals and need to bring their best effort forward game in and game out.
Excellent start Rangers and the coaches can’t wait to see what you accomplish next!
Go Rangers!