The Kitchener Jr Rangers MD Red team will not be advancing in the Winter Classic despite being undefeated and posting a pair of impressive wins beating Amesbury Attack 2 to 1 and the Meadowvale Hawks 5 to 0.
Interestingly, the Rangers were one of
two MD teams in the A tournament, and were also the only team to take points from the number one ranked team in Ontario, the Vaughan Ranger (top seed), and from the Greater Toronto Capitals (second seed), both finishing with 7 of 8 possible points. To add insult to injury, the Rangers ended up in a 3-way tie with 6 points and despite beating one of the team who snuck in, were on the outside looking in due to a goal for percentage tie breaker rule.
Yes, the competition was that good, and yes, the Rangers rose to the occasion! The players have every right to be proud and still remain undefeated 42 games into the season.
The Rangers goalies had an exceptional day. Aiden Radatus fought hard to help his team beat the Attack and was only beat shorthanded. Radatus moved really well and limited second chances. Radatus and Owen Neomytka teamed up to kill a large 5 minute major after an equipment issue caused Radatus to miss a brief stint of time. The team rallied together and killed a 5 on 3 through this time and momentum would not leave their side. In the teams second game of the day, Owen Neomytka earned his 7th shutout of the season and was a wall in net blanking the Hawks. The Rangers knew if they had any chance of advancing they could not allow any goals against. Neomytka never let that bother him and played alert and calm making key saves late when his team was pinching trying to rally goals to help advance.
Against the Attack, Jacob Reid-Brant tied the game with a beauty from Stephen Peppas and Josh McDonald before Connor Coughlin had the game winner from Toby Pryce and Denver Heiman.
Against the Hawks, Peppas scored from Kodi Blackshaw and McDonald. On the powerplay, Blackshaw blasted one from the slot scoring from Caleb Cumming and McDonald. Reid-Brant scored from Heiman and Cumming before Cumming added another from Reid-Brant and Noah Park. Chad Morris delivered a canon from Cumming and Coughlin for the final tally in the games final minute.
The Rangers were without Evan Peori, Logan Duke and Matt Gallant due to suspensions and had several guys step up. Quinten Earle drew three power plays for his team. Jake Fisher drove the net and was winning endless battles showing why he is one of the league fiercest competitors.
It is unusual to leave a tournament undefeated knowing you beat a team going on with a chance to medal and tied both the top seeds. This has undoubtedly left the team with a sense of unfinished business, however, many positive were gained and memories made. The players faced the best A teams in Ontario and will only serve them well in their quest to reach the ultimate goal of a triple banner season and Alliance Championship.
Well done Rangers!