Kingston crushes Kitchener

By CHRIS POPE

Joseph Garreffa put it best: “We got smoked.”

The Kitchener Rangers were flat, and the Kingston Frontenacs capitalized Sunday afternoon.

“We had some guys, their heads weren’t in to it. They didn’t come out the right way,” said Kitchener head coach Jay McKee. “I don’t know why some of our players were out to lunch early on.”

The Fronts routed the Rangers 6-1 at the Rogers K-Rock Centre, handing the Rangers their second straight loss.

“We need to be more focused before the game,” said forward Rickard Hugg. “We were down 2-0, and every guy hadn’t even been on the ice yet.”

The Fronts led 3-0 after the first period, and scored less than five minutes into the second frame chasing overage goalie Mario Culina – the first time he’s been pulled as a Ranger.

“We had only given up 11 shots,” said McKee. “He’s had a couple games where the pucks are finding the back of the net easier than they were earlier on.”

Before this weekend, the Rangers had only lost twice on the road – both in Owen Sound – since McKee held what was described as a “therapy session” in October after dropping three straight on a Northern swing.

The bench boss called out players in a video session, and they won five of their next six games. He hinted it may be time for another.

“Some guys might have to get embarrassed a little bit in video and see what they’re doing wrong,” said McKee. “Sometimes it takes being embarrassed to pull your head out of your butt.”

The Rangers are in Ottawa on Family Day. Pre-game on 570 News is at 1:30 p.m.

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