The Kitchener Jr Rangers MD Red team opened a 3-game miniseries against the Brantford 99ers pounding them 10 to 1 and clinching top seed in the playoffs Saturday night.With the Rangers down 1 to 0, Caleb Cumming, started his “special” night with a natural hattrick and ended the game with 5 goals with 4 of them on special teams.
Owen Neomytka was a lot busier than you’d think especially in the first when the Rangers failed to show up and were outworked by the gritty 99ers. Neomytka stood tall again in the third when the Rangers paraded to the penalty box. Neomytka did a fantastic job staying mentally ready and steering pucks out of harms way.
Cumming had back to back power play goals with his first from Jake Fisher and Chad Morris and his second from Noah Park and Connor Coughlin. Cumming completed the natural hattrick from Coughlin on an amazing behind the back pass. Jacob Reid-Brant went rooftop scoring from Stephen Peppas. Cumming scared on the power play again from Coughlin and Morris and then Morris scored from Fisher and Coughlin. Reid-Brant added a second goal from Peppas and Toby Pryce and then Evan Peori scored from Peppas and Reid-Brant. Short handed Cummings had his 5th goal in the game from Denver Heiman. On the double-digit goal, Coughlin added to his impressive 4 assists, with a goal of his own from Kodi Blackshaw and Fisher.
Noah Park, Josh McDonald and Matt Gallant stepped up when the team was short handed and played well all game. Logan Duke and Quinten Earle were solid defensively as well for the Rangers.
The game was a nasty affair with both teams losing their cool and tensions were flaring. It will be important to ensure the team doesn’t allow the bad blood to get the better of them and cause the players to take much unneeded and unnecessary penalties and even suspensions. With the Alliance Championships getting closer and closer, the team needs to remain focused on their goals of a triple banner and not the petty pushing and fighting.
Up next, the Rangers head to Branford for the second game in the miniseries and the coaches are hopeful to see the goal scoring take centre stage for them in another win.
Go Rangers!