The Kitchener Jr Rangers MD Blue team opened game 1 of the Playdowns on fire and jumped to a 2 to 0 lead before the rival Red team put out their flames and beat the Rangers 6 to 2 on Wednesday evening.
Jacob Reid-Brant and Aiden Radatus shared Player of the Game Award for the team. Despite the score, which included an open net goal against, Radatus made 30 saves and put in a stellar game. Reid-Brant continued his monster scoring season with his 52nd and 53rd goals of the year. Reid-Brant has been one of, if not, the best players in the league and a pleasure to watch play. Reid-Brant’s first goal was set up by Spencer Bulyaki and his second from Connor Coughlin.
Coughlin is another work horse and a player the coaches admire. He plays with heart every game and was a warrior again. Several players deserve credit for their work ethic including Aydan Costello, Carter Schade, Evan Peori, Jack Masters, up front, and Keenan Hack, Kailum Belanic and Connor Pinos on the back end.
Both Noah Park and Andrew Bishop had solid games for the team and were particularly strong along the boards and in front of their net. Noah Roden was again strong in the defensive end and picked up guys in the high slot for the team. Ethan Lafleur did a good job trying to create offense.
However, there were times the players were a step behind and playing without the necessary intensity. The Rangers started strong but let a few opportunities from Red rattle them and lost their bite.
The coaches hope that fire will be reignited in their next practice as the team will be ready to work hard and get some redemption come Friday.
Go Rangers!