Rangers Win Semi Final in Convincing Fashion
The Kitchener Jr Rangers MD Red team didn’t make the same mistake of underestimating the Brantford 99ers in the semi final match, winning 5 to 0, and advancing the finals against the Waterloo Wolves.
In a relentless attack the Rangers dominated possession and zone time from start to finish. Connor Coughlin stroke on the powerplay from Jacob Reid-Brant and Noah Park. Jake Fisher scored from Quinten Earle and Josh McDonald. Caleb Cumming scored from Toby Pryce and Kodi Blackshaw. Coughlin scored from Reid-Brant and Chad Morris and Cumming scored from Coughlin and Morris.
Early in the game, Owen Neomytka, made the “TSN turning point” save by robbing the 99ers on a breakaway. The save propelled his team and the Rangers never looked back. Neomytka was sharp when called upon and did a great job steering his rebounds out of harms way and finding any loose pucks to frustrate the 99ers.
The 99ers clogged the neutral zone well so the coaches instructed the players to chip pucks deep and it worked well. Quinten Earle and Evan Peori have so much speed they were able to trap the 99ers in their zone. Denver Heiman and Logan Duke cycled well for the team and Stephen Peppas was a wizard down low for the team.
Once again Josh McDonald played a perfect and calm game and looked great with Matt Gallant moving the puck up and out of the zone. It was a key element in the team’s success.
The Rangers will need to continue to play as a team and have that drive to win if they want to be successful against the Wolves. The coaches are confident the player know what it takes to win and will play their game.
Finals: Kitchener vs Waterloo
The Kitchener Jr Rangers MD Red won their second consecutive tournament defeating the Waterloo Wolves Black 3 to 0 Sunday night.
Teamwork was the key to the victory and tournament for the Rangers. The players all had important roles and chipped in playing unselfish hockey and doing anything asked of them.
In the second period the Rangers had a couple fast goals that sucked the life out of the Wolves. Jacob Reid Brant struck first from Caleb Cumming and Connor Coughlin and very soon after Coughlin made it 2 to 0 from Reid-Brant. Cumming sealed the deal in the third period from Coughlin.
Aiden Radatus had his second shutout of the tournament and, much like in the semi finals when Owen Neomytka made key saves early, Radatus made an outstanding kick save in the first to keep the score scoreless and rally his team. Radatus managed the game well and gave little to no second chances all game.
Credit to the Rangers defense for strong play all tournament and especially in the semi and final games. Matt Gallant was strong in all his one on one battles, Kodi Blackshaw was a force in front of the net, Noah Park was fearless and made quality breakouts, Chad Morris was a calming presence and clutch playmaker, Toby Pryce continued to make everything look effortless and made slick play after slick play and Josh McDonald made game saving pinches and cleaned the zone like a general.
Evan Peori and Denver Heiman had a superb cycle game and back checked hard all game. Jake Fisher and Quinten Earle put relentless pressure of the Wolves defenders and both Logan Duke and Stephen Peppas supported their defense and were difference makers.
The Rangers played hard in every game and supported each other. It was a joy for the coaches to witness another great tournament that appeared to have brought an already tight group even closer.
Amazing work players!
Go Rangers!!