Storm thankful for Rangers sluggish start

It wasn’t the start the Kitchener Rangers wanted.

Fifteen seconds into the first frame, the Guelph Storm took a 1-0 lead on home ice against their Highway 7 rival.

Guelph added another just over five minutes later.

They’d strike again just over five minutes into the second, jumping out to a 3-0 lead.

“They looked sleepy. They didn’t look engaged,” said Rangers Head Coach Jay McKee. “Guys have to learn you can’t just show up to an arena and expect you’re going to have an easy game and you’re going to win.”

Adam Liška put the Rangers on the board in the second period, and assisted on a Logan Stanley marker in the third, making it a one-goal-game.

The Storm responded with two goals – one with an empty net, to hand the Rangers their first road loss of the season 5-2.

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McKee said the game comes down to the first period, and he’ll be pulling it for a video session.

“Sometimes players have to see things they don’t want to see in their game, and realize how it looks,” said McKee. “Some guys might be embarrassed. Some guys showed up here and didn’t want to put in the effort in the first period.”

Luke Richardson picked up the loss in goal, and is still looking for his first win of the season. McKee isn’t pointing the finger though.

“We certainly had break downs in front of him,” said Mckee. “The third goal we certainly can’t have it go in. He’d certainly want that one back, but we have to play better in front of him. We have to have pride. We have to play the same way in front of both goalies.”

The Rangers will take today off and celebrate Thanksgiving, before turning their attention to tomorrow. Kitchener hosts the Owen Sound Attack for the second time in just over a week.

The Harris Law Pre-game show will broadcast on 570 News at 1:30 p.m.