The Kitchener Jr Rangers MD Blue team played a relentless puck possession game to get some over due pay back from the Waterloo Wolves White winning 4 to 1 Saturday night.
For the first time this season, the team’s coaches, didn’t award a Player of Game and elected to honour the entire roster for their tireless play and commitment to the team’s system.
Jacob Reid-Brant had a hattrick for the team with a pair in the first period. Reid-Brant’s first goal was unassisted and his second was set up from Jake Masters and Connor Coughlin. Kailum Belanic had a beautiful goal from Ethan Lafleur and Spencer Bulyaki before Reid-Brant completed the hatty with another unassisted goal this time short handed.
Aiden Radatus was steady in net and was there for the team when needed. Radatus was square to the puck and gave up very little second chances with exceptional control of his rebounds.
The Rangers had several key players working hard. Carter Schade was exciting to watch as he battled all night like a hawk looking for its next meal. Aydan Costello was like mighty mouse breaking up plays and Noah Roden was perhaps the most reliable defensive forward on the team.
Another forward showing some outstanding hustle and determination was Evan Peori who was a difference maker in all three zones. Spencer Bulyaki won battles and created offense as well. There were certainly no passengers in this tilt.
On the defensive side, the Rangers had a wall at times it seemed on their blueline. Andrew Bishop and Kodi Blackshaw did a great job gapping up and meeting the Wolves players. Noah Park and Connor Pinos used their smarts and passing skills to get puck out of the zone and Keenan Hack was yet again a beast for the Rangers and perfect in his one on one battles.
Tomorrow the Rangers will have another big test with a rematch against the rival Red team. The Rangers will need to duplicate the effort tonight and be set to battle hard to bring home another two points.
Go Rangers!