After 22 regular season games, the Kitchener Lady Rangers Midget “A’s” opened
the first round of the Central West Division playoffs against the Brampton
Canadettes.
Struggling with the Canadettes who the ladies had not beat all season, the Lady Rangers opened the series at home at Sportsworld. A beautiful low point screen shot had the ladies up by one heading into the break. A powerplay marker in the third had the ladies up by “two” with just over five minutes remaining. The Vegas odds were not great but somehow Brampton found a way to remind the ladies that games are forty-two minutes in length. An unfortunate clearing attempt and a late penalty resulted in a game that will be remembered as a “missed opportunity” for the ladies, as a betting man’s sure “two” points unfortunately turned into “one” for the Lady Rangers.
A day later the ladies travelled to Century Gardens in Brampton for game two. After a scoreless first, Brampton opened the scoring on a great goal midway into the second. Penalty trouble continued into game two with the next two Brampton goals coming on their powerplay.
Needing a win in regulation and a win in overtime, the ladies travelled back to Century Gardens on Valentine’s Day. Showing no emotion for St. Valentine, the ladies came ready to play. Capitalizing on a first period power play opportunity, the ladies applied great pressure and had many more scoring opportunities throughout the first two periods. Adding two more in the third had the ladies completing the regulation time “W” and forcing a winner take all OT. Playing four on four, an unfortunate penalty call just two minutes in had the ladies shorthanded for the “seventeenth” time during the series. As solid as the “PK” had been, Brampton was able to capitalize to take the series.
In hockey and in life, we must remember to make the most of every opportunity presented to us. Unfortunately the opportunity lost in game one made all the difference in game three.
Although disappointed in not advancing to round two, Bill, Ken, Sarah, Tim and I were very pleased with your level of play. You worked hard, generate opportunity and saved you best hockey for when it counted. That’s what playoff hockey is all about.
On behalf of the Lady Ranger’s Midget A’s congratulations to Brampton. We wish you the best of luck in round two.