The Kitchener Jr Rangers MD Blue team battled hard to come back from a two goal deficit scoring 4 unanswered goals in the 3rd period to earn a 4 to 2 win over the Hamilton Huskies Red Sunday evening.
It was a night of special teams for the Rangers with a power play marker and a pair of short handed goals by the talented Jacob Reid-Brant.
Down a pair of goals Aydan Costello converted a nice feed from Connor Coughlin and Reid-Brant and then Reid-Brant, on a single shift, not only brought the Rangers even but put the team ahead by scoring two short handed beauties. Coughlin put the final dagger in the Huskies with an empty netter.
Hayden Smith was strong in net for the Rangers and made sure he kept his team within reach. Several times the Huskies crashed the net and tried to make Smith’s life difficult.
However, the Rangers defenders were up for the task. Andrew Bishop took home Player of the Game honors for his continued hard and smart play, picking up 2 assists and sacrificing himself to make a huge block in the final minute. Keenan Hack was powerful all game and is a key cog in the Rangers defensive machine. Kodi Blackshaw continues to be a passing force and Kailum Belanic once again was a defensive machine. Both Noah Park and Connor Pinos were perfect in the Rangers end as well.
The Rangers knew to be successful they would need to get pucks deep and relied on the speed of Evan Peori and Carter Schade to get zone entries. Spencer Bulyaki and Ethan Lafleur did a tremendous job cycling and the Rangers got net presence from guys like Jake Masters and Noah Roden.
It was a big win for the Rangers and gave the team a perfect weekend win wise and put the team in second overall in the playoffs just behind the rival Red team. The Rangers wont have too much time to bask in their glory however as they face the Waterloo Wolves Black on a rare weekday game Tuesday night.
Go Rangers!