Wayne Gretzky International Tournament – Day 2, News, Major Bantam Red, 2019-2020, MD (Kitchener Minor Hockey)

This Team is part of the 2019-2020 season, which is not set as the current season.
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Dec 29, 2019 | Dave Horne | 123 views
Wayne Gretzky International Tournament – Day 2
The Kitchener Rangers MD Red team got off to an early start winning 4 to 1 over the Waterloo Wolves Black early Sunday morning.

With a pair of first period goals from the team’s defenders, the Rangers played a decent game considering the early a.m. start.

Josh McDonald opened the scoring from Jake Fisher and Connor Coughlin. Kodi Blackshaw scored, what became the winning goal, from Coughlin and Jacob Reid-Brant. Evan Peori broke free scoring from Fisher and Logan Duke. Stephen Peppas scored the “Cammalleri” on one knee from Toby Pryce and Blackshaw.

Aiden Radatus made several great stops in the first period to keep the Wolves at bay. Radatus finally gave up a goal  after slightly over 130 minutes of shutout hockey and continued to be stingy after by not allowing another goal against.

Noah Park and Chad Morris were once again rock solid for the Rangers and Matt Gallant made several exceptional plays to get the puck up the ice.

Once again, the team played without Caleb Cumming, a huge contributor, and did a great job, especially in the back-checking department where Cumming excels. Denver Heiman and Quinten Earle really stepped up when needed and created sparks when the Rangers got caught defensively.

The win keeps the Rangers in top spot with 3 wins for 6 points and an impressive GF% of .917 and sets the stage for a huge test against a highly ranked “A” team in LPC Wild. The Rangers are looking forward to the test and closing out the round robin in winning fashion.


Game vs LPC Wild

The Kitchener Jr Rangers MD Red team flexed their preverbal muscle against the much hyped, and only A level team, winning 2 to 0 against the LPC Wild.

As it has been said over and over, the Rangers desperately needed all their players to chip in defensively and work hard, and did the players ever respond.

The Rangers were led in this one by the standout netminder Owen Neomytka who picked up the shutout. Neomytka made some stellar saves, especially late in the game when the Rangers found themselves down two men for a lengthy stretch of time. Its this presence Neomytka brings that helps calm the Rangers through rough waters.

Noah Park also had an exceptional game and was rock solid short handed, on the powerplay and 5 on 5 for his team. Park was aggressive and showed poise as was his partner Chad Morris who made several fantastic plays in the game.

Jacob Reid-Brant was an offensive stand out with a pair of goals with his first goal being assisted by Logan Duke and his second from Denver Heiman and Connor Coughlin.

Josh McDonald, Toby Pryce, Matt Gallant and Kodi Blackshaw were beasts in the game down low and were warriors as the team killed off a pair of 5 on 3s and other minor penalties.

It would have, perhaps, been not enough if the Rangers didn’t have committed defensive play from its forward group of Quinten Earle, Stephen Peppas, Jake Fisher and Evan Peori. Each and every one of the forwards made plays that suffocated the Wild and frustrated the A team.

The Rangers amazing play earned them the top seed after the round robin and will face the Waterloo Wolves Black team in what will be a challenging semi final. The coaches are very proud and confident in their squad and look forward to seeing the team continue their hard work.

Go Rangers!