The Kitchener Jr Rangers MD Red team won their third straight tournament, and capped off their 2019 portion of their season, going undefeated beating the LPC Wild 4 to 1 winning the Wayne Gretzky International Tournament Monday night.
Huge credit to the players for their dedication and perseverance all season. It has been inspirational watching this team rally and motivate each other right from day 1.
In the semi final game, the Rangers came back from a two-goal deficit to beat the Waterloo Wolves Black 3 to 2. Aiden Radatus gave his team every chance to come back as he battled hard and made huge saves to prevent the hole from getting any bigger.
Jacob Reid-Brant had a pair of goals for the Rangers. Reid-Brant cut the lead in half with a goal from Kodi Blackshaw and Logan Duke. Toby Pryce had a gorgeous goal top shelf backhand goal from Reid Brant. Reid-Brant had the winner on the power play from Caleb Cumming and Pryce. Cumming who returned after being out the previous games was a huge boost to the Rangers lineup.
Owen Neomytka stole the show in the final game and took all of the Wild’s hope away with several key saves and a calm presence in net. Neomytka was riding a 3-game shutout streak and the only goal to beat him was due a screened play.
Connor Coughlin tied the game from Duke and Blackshaw. Reid-Brant scored from Cumming and Blackshaw. Cumming then used his speed and strength to cut the defenders after Blackshaw sent him in for the goal, patiently outwaiting the Wild netminder to slide it in on the backhand. Stephen Peppas was rewarded with the secondary assist on the Cumming goal. Coughlin then added his second goal with a clutch play from Pryce and Duke to seal the victory.
In both the semi and finals, Evan Peori, Denver Heiman, Jake Fisher, Peppas and Quinten Earle played huge roles in the wins with stalwart defensive presence and plays. It was their back checking and energy that wore down teams and help energize the Rangers. Noah Park and Chad Morris capped off fantastic tournaments with more strong regroups and zone exits and Matt Gallant made a massive shot block on the PK in the final to preserve the lead for the Rangers. Josh McDonald was the general on the blueline and saved his best play of the season for the tourney, rushing the puck with will.
The coaches are extremely proud of their players and want to thank all their families for their support and faith. Here is to just as strong of a 2020 for the Rangers and the best has yet to come!
Go Rangers!