The Kitchener Jr Rangers MD Blue team held on in the third period to get the 4 to 2 win against the Brantford 99ers. After pulling their goalie late in the 3rd the 99ers failed to capitalize as the Rangers defensive zone setup was to hard to breakthrough.
Noah Roden played a strong game for the Rangers and took Player of the Game and added an assist on the game winning goal. Roden continued to play a gritty style of hockey that rewarded him and the team with a big 2 pts coming down the stretch.
The Rangers had solid goaltending from Aiden Radatus who was once again sharp. This time it was the second period he was tested the most and came up with key saves to help the Rangers leave the period with a lead.
Ethan Lafleur opened the scoring for the Rangers on the powerplay from Evan Peori and Keenan Hack. The goal tied the game and then Jacob Reid-Brant put the Rangers ahead with a beautiful tip from Connor Coughlin and Spencer Bulyaki. Carter Schade scored the game winner after displaying pure effort and smarts on yet another powerplay goal for the Rangers from Aydan Costello and Roden. Reid-Brant put in the empty netter from Coughlin and Kailum Belanic, ultimately sealing the deal.
On defense Connor Pinos was magnificent again, as was Noah Park and Andrew Bishop. The Rangers remain without their captain Kodi Blackshaw and the defenders have all stepped up to help.
The penalty kill was on fire for the Rangers and Jake Masters played a vital part for the unit which was tested often and showed the effort and desire you need to kill penalties. On one particular play Masters was pushed over and the forward continued to battle and somehow got the puck deep.
Up next the Rangers will close the playoffs against the Waterloo White team and look to force a three-way tie for second place.
Go Rangers!