Rangers Memorable Season Comes To Conclusion, News, Minor Bantam Blue, 2018-2019, MD (Kitchener Minor Hockey)

This Team is part of the 2018-2019 season, which is not set as the current season.
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Mar 24, 2019 | Dave Horne | 601 views
Rangers Memorable Season Comes To Conclusion
The Minor Bantam MD Blue Kitchener Jr Rangers season came to an end Friday evening against rival Kitchener MD Red to the score of 4-0 in the Alliance Tier 1 Playdown Semi Finals. 

Hayden Smith maned the crease for the Rangers and despite the score made some huge saves under pressure. Smith was tested early and often and continually stood his ground against a strong Red offensive attack who threw 30 shots on net. Like fellow netminder Aiden Radatus has done all season, Smith once again rose to the occasion and put everything out there to give his team the best chance of winning. Unfortunately his strong performance just wasn't enough in this one as the Rangers were unable to get things going offensively. 

The defense also stood tall again playing shorthanded with Captain Kodi Blackshaw watching from the glass. Noah Park continued to escape high danger areas with his smooth skating abilities and made solid breakout passes. Keenan Hack was on fire rushing the puck and quarterbacking plays from the point. Connor Pinos shutdown many rushes with his calm yet aggressive approach to 1 on 1 battles. Andrew Bishop was a physical force and helped give Smith clean looks at pucks all game while Kailum Belanic used his speed and smarts to transition the Rangers into the offensive zone.

Up front, the Rangers were lead by their new look dynamic trio of Connor Coughlin, Spencer Bulyaki and Jacob Reid-Brant. All three caused fits for the Red defenders and at times were able to hem in an entire line with their gritty cycle play. Aydan Costello, Carter Schade and Noah Roden continued to use their speed to their advantage and got pucks in deep consistently, something the coaches stressed before the game. The three speedsters were constantly looking for one another and although came up short on the scoreboard it wasn't for lack of trying. Evan Peori, Ethan Lafleur and Jack Masters continued to build on chemistry and had more then one attempt to get the Rangers on the board. Of all three forward lines Peori, Lafleur and Masters execute driving the net and pushing off the defense to perfection. Overall, all 9 of the Rangers forwards put it all out there and never backed down.

Although the Rangers season came to an end on Friday, the coaches are extremely proud of the accomplishments and progress witnessed throughout the year both on and off the ice. They have seen quiet players become vocal leaders, personal goals that were set in September reached and reset, two tournament championships in Detroit and London respectfully and a silver medal finish in Brantford and most importantly 17 individuals buy in to one concept of team and brotherhood, with the motivation to #ProveThemWrong.

On behalf of Dan, Makenna, Nathan, Tim, Mike, Jason and myself, we would like to wish everyone a very safe and happy summer and all the best to those moving forward to AAA/Seeded tryouts in April/May and MD tryouts in September. It was an absolute pleasure to meet, coach and watch each and every one of you outstanding young men grow and hope that when you look back on this season you will each hold a place for all the hard work you and your brothers in Red, White and Blue put forth from start to finish.

Many Thanks,

Coach Dave