Rangers’ toxic intermission leads to lacklustre loss
Posted Nov 5, 2016 10:30:28 PM.
Last Updated Nov 6, 2016 06:17:42 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The Kitchener Rangers are going to have to address issues within their dressing room.
After a quality 40 minutes of hockey against the OHL-leading Erie Otters on the road Saturday, the Rangers came out for the third period uninspired.
“Were having leadership issues right now in our dressing room,” said Head Coach Jay McKee post-game.
“Some things happened between the second and third period that I won’t comment specifically on, but our team put forth an effort in the third period that started in the dressing room between the second and third.”
The Rangers took a 3-2 lead into that intermission, but ended up surrendering five unanswered to the Otters, who routed the Rangers 7-3, handing Kitchener its third straight loss.
McKee wasn’t sure how the coaching staff would address the issues.
“It’s too fresh right now,” said the 15-year NHL veteran. “We have to talk to staff and there will be some pretty serious meetings ahead. It’s not a good night right now.”
Despite his decade-and-a-half playing at the highest level, the coach can’t rely on a similar situation from his career.
“I’ve been fortunate to play with guys that act professionally and prepare professionally,” said McKee. “These are kids here though and part of it is a learning process and we’ll be better moving forward.”
Five-year veteran of the league, Darby Llewellyn, wouldn’t point to the point of contention saying, “I’d rather keep that between us.”
Llewellyn, a member of the leadership group, moved into a tie for seventh among games played in East Ave Blue with Norman Dezainde in the loss. He’s played 258 games with the shield on his chest, and wasn’t impressed.
“We didn’t come out ready to play. We shut down in front of [Dawson] Carty. It’s completely embarrassing. It’s unaccountable. The guy works his [butt] off everyday for us. He came up with huge saves and we shut down in front of him.”
“If the whole team is not pissed, I don’t know, because that’s piss-poor play from us over the last three games.”
Despite the leadership core being called into question, he says the message is simple.
“Wake up.”
