Injury plagued Rangers hit the road
Posted Feb 28, 2014 09:16:28 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The Kitchener Rangers sit seven points back of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
“We’ve put ourselves behind the eight ball”, said head coach Troy Smith at practice Thursday afternoon regarding a tough loss Tuesday night at the Aud against the Plymouth Whalers, the team the Rangers need to catch. “But we still have eight games to play and we have to try to find a way to get in.”
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The team left Thursday afternoon for Saginaw and take on the Spirit tonight before traveling to Sault Ste. Marie on Saturday to do battle against the Greyhounds. It will be a tough test for the young squad this late in the season, especially since a number of injuries have plagued the team as of late. Forward Justin Bailey along with his team leading 25 goals and 43 points is out for the weekend. Rookie forward Nick Magyar, right behind Bailey with his 17 goals and 41 points will also miss this weekend due to illness. And gritty defenceman Max Iafrate and his team leading 124 penalty minutes is also out.
Keeping the team motivated is something Smith says should not be a problem. Mathematically the team is not yet eliminated from playoff contention, and individually, Smith says the guys have a lot to play for, “whether it’s a kid that’s drafted and is trying to get a contract from his team, or maybe someone that’s up for the draft, or somebody that’s jockeying for a position with our club next year. There’s lots to play for.”
The Whalers, arguably, have an easier road to the finish line with more home games, and not having to skate against the Guelph Storm, twice.
Mark Bzowey has been called up for the road trip. The 16 year old has played three games with the Rangers recording a +/- rating of -1.
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@EricDrozd
Eric@570news.com
