Rangers undisciplined in home opener
Posted Sep 23, 2017 05:43:54 AM.
Last Updated Sep 24, 2017 06:35:51 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A new season, a new captain and new expectations.
The Kitchener Rangers opened the 2017-18 season at home against the Flint Firebirds.
But despite the fresh start, an old habit snuck up; the Rangers coughed-up three late third-period goals and the Firebirds clipped the Blueshirts 5-3.
“The past year’s we couldn’t hold a lead,” said newly minted Captain Connor Bunnaman. “But it’s the first game of the year. We have a lot of things to learn, and a lot of things to clean-up, and I know we’ll do it.”
Kitchener Head Coach Jay McKee wasn’t happy with the team’s discipline.
“The story of the whole game was the amount of penalties we took,” said McKee. “Having three Delay of Game penalties comes down to execution, and having more poise with the puck and making the right play.”
“We should have three of those penalties after maybe 30 games, not one.”
The Firebirds went 3-for-8 on the power play, and remain undefeated in their three season openers as a franchise.
NHL-draft-eligible Ty Dellandrea (2G) and Dallas Stars prospect Nicholas Caamano (3A) led the way offensively for the Birds, while the Rangers had nine different players earn points.
It’s just the Rangers second regulation loss in the team’s last eleven season openers.
Kitchener is in Sarnia Saturday night to square-off against the Sting. Broadcast time on 570NEWS is 7 p.m.
