This past
weekend saw the Kitchener Lady Ranger Midget AA team face off against some of
the stiffest competition in North America – here in our own backyard.
A total of 28 teams from across Canada and the United States gathered for the USA CANADA CUP KW 2018. Your Lady Rangers team were quick to get out of the gate early Friday morning with their speed and creativity on display as they skated to a 4-0 shutout of Intrepide de L’Outaouais from Quebec. Facing a tough squad from Pittsburgh, the KW Lady Rangers hung tough and went into the third period tied 1 – 1. Emerging for the third period clearly energized and motivated by the hometown fans, the KLR took the game to Penguins and scored 2 more goals to secure the 3-1 win and an undefeated first day!
Saturday morning saw the girls back at it for an early morning game against the Washington Pride. But pride would not be enough for the team from Washington on this morning as the Lady Rangers rolled to a decisive 4-0 victory and another shutout! Next up was a pivotal afternoon match against another undefeated team – Leaside – and this game would determine whether or not the girls would be playing for a medal on Sunday – and if so, which colour it would be. Leadside threw everything they had at the Rangers and got out to a 1-0 lead before the Lady Rangers came back to tie up 1 – 1. The third period saw frantic back and forth action as both teams were desperate for the three points available for a regulation win. With one tie already on their record the Leaside coach took a risk and pulled her goalie hoping to get the 2nd goal - but the plan backfired. The Lady Rangers were able to withstand the pressure and eventually get the puck down the ice, where with only seconds left they buried the winning goal – securing themselves a ticket to the finals.
The Gold Medal Final was held at the Kitchener Auditorium where the Kitchener Lady Rangers met the undefeated Toronto Aeros. Despite falling behind 3-0 in the second period, Kitchener never quit battling. A goal at the end of the second period and another in the third period left the Lady Rangers pushing hard for the equalizer. Despite some close calls it was not to be and the Toronto Aeros earned a well-deserved Gold Medal. Still it was a brilliant weekend for the Kitchener Midget AA squad with a final record of 4 wins and a loss, first place in Pool A, 15 goals for and 5 against and…of course…a memorable Silver Medal as evidence of a job well done girls!
