The Kitchener Jr Rangers MD Blue team continued to push forward winning 4 to 3 in a penalty filled and emotional game against the Hamilton Huskies Red Saturday night.
Connor Coughlin, Rangers Player of the Game winner, completed his hattrick in style by scoring the game winner with 19 seconds remaining. Coughlin’s line was on fire all night. Coughlin’s first goal, set up Jack Masters and Noah Park, sparked the Rangers come back from an early 2-0 deficit. Masters the made use of a tireless effort and tied the game from Coughlin and Kailum Belanic. The Rangers then took the lead when Jacob Reid-Brant flew into the zone and fed Coughlin who was crashing the net. Reid-Brant also had an assist on Coughlin’s game winner as did Andrew Bishop.
Aiden Radatus made some game saving stops with the score 3 to 3 and only a couple minutes remaining. Radatus made back to back kick saves and got nice and square to stop another tough shot. The Huskies crashed the net all game and Radatus did a great job protecting his crease.
The Rangers had a few defenders really step up in the game. Keenan Hack was a force on the blue line and his partner Connor Pinos might have played his best game to date. Kodi Blackshaw was tough in front of the net and the Rangers captain did a good job keeping the team calm.
Up front it was another gutsy hard-nosed effort. Carter Schade refused to give up and played his heart out, Noah Roden won almost all his battles and Evan Peori has become a complete player for the Rangers playing in all three zones with grit and tenacity. Aydan Costello was flying for the Rangers and both Spencer Bulyaki and Ethan Lafleur cycled the puck and showed creativity, leading to many high quality opportunities.
The team’s coaches talked to the players about keeping their heads in heated games and making sure they didn’t make things harder on the team by being selfish. With that in mind the Rangers head to Waterloo where the team can climb into second place in the standings with a win. The Rangers will need to keep playing their aggressive puck possession style and be ready to play right from puck drop in order to be successful.
The coaches have full faith.
Go Rangers!