Remembering Vimy Ridge, Rangers earn win versus Windsor
Posted Nov 11, 2017 02:09:48 AM.
Last Updated Nov 11, 2017 10:56:13 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
It’s a season-best winning streak for the Kitchener Rangers.
The team swapped their iconic Blueshirts for their 13th annual Remembrance Day sweaters and snipped the Windsor Spitfires 4-3 at the Aud Friday, for a fourth straight win.
This year’s jersey was honouring the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge.
Pre-game, the team paid tribute to Kitchener native Sgt. Robert Dynerowicz of the Royal Canadian Dragoons. He was killed April 25th during a training accident at CFB Wainwright. His parents, Dan and Debbie, and nephew were at centre ice for one-of-two ceremonial puck-drops. The other was by Sgt Dynerowicz’s fellow Dragoons.
When play got underway, Windsor got on the board first, thanks to Aaron Luchuk’s league-leading 19th goal of the year. Kitchener answered back with three straight, including a rocket from Adam Mascherin on the power play.
“Some people don’t think the power play is all that good,” said Rangers Head Coach Jay McKee about a power play that came into the game in the bottom five, but got goals from both units Friday evening. “Within the room, we know we’re working hard. It’s looked sharp in practice and we just need to get out and execute in the game. Guys are getting rewarded for the work they’re putting in.”
After Mascherin’s 91st career OHL-marker, it was time for the first career OHL goal for fifth-rounder Mike Petizian.
“It was pretty unbelievable,” said the first-year forward who has said he modeled his game after Mascherin. “I didn’t see it go in, I just heard the horn go off, and heard people screaming (…) It was such a rush.”
Kitchener also got markers from Connor Bunnaman and Greg Meireles, picking up its second win over the Spits this season.
The Rangers improve to 9-1 when leading after two period; the only loss was in the opening game of the season.
“It’s not about sitting back on a lead. I’m very against that,” said McKee. “We want to get pucks deep, below their goal line and make them go 200 feet. We want to keep the aggressive forecheck and play in their zone.”
The Rangers and Spits cap off a back-to-back home-and-home tonight in the boarder-city. Pre-game on 570 News is at 6:35 p.m.
