Rangers sink Smith and Spirit

By CHRIS POPE

Message received; the second time.

Kitchener Rangers Head Coach Jay McKee didn’t want to have to send a message during a game against the second last place Saginaw Spirit, but it was needed.

He went into the dressing room during the first intermission, with the game tied at zeros, and tore a strip off the team. After the second period the Rangers were down 2-1 and McKee told the leadership group to, “figure it out” and left the room.

“I don’t know what was said,” said McKee. “But they came out and played the right way. I kind of left it in their hands. There comes a point where these guys have to make a decision and step up as a team. I thought we had one of the better third periods we’ve had all year.”

Joseph Garreffa notched his team-leading fifth goal of the season in the final frame, and Captain Connor Bunnaman scored the game winner.

The Kitchener Rangers skipped the Saginaw Spirit 3-2, with goaltender Luke Richardson picking up his first win of the season.

“He kept us in the game,” said McKee. “We gave him the game puck. He was stellar. Without him, we wouldn’t be standing here with the win.”

It was the first game against the Rangers for Troy Smith as the Head Coach of an opposing team.

The Rangers attention now flips to Flint Sunday.

They cap off their three-in-three this afternoon on 570 NEWS against the Firebirds at 4 p.m., with pre-game beginning at 3:30 p.m.

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