Rangers’ comeback fails as fur flies
Posted Dec 6, 2017 04:23:52 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
It was another poor start for the Kitchener Rangers, and one they couldn’t come back from.
The Windsor Spitfires held on to an early 4-0 lead, and topped the Rangers 8-5 in Kitchener’s teddy bear toss game.
First the fur then the hats.
Big night for @FlaPanthers prospect @amascherin_23 with a ?????? for @OHLRangers who collected over ??K ??’s in annual #TeddyBearToss. pic.twitter.com/0MCQv6XDm5
— OntarioHockeyLeague (@OHLHockey) December 6, 2017
It’s the second time this season the Rangers have fell behind 4-0 at home, the other was in October against the London Knights; a 5-1 loss.
“I didn’t like two of the first three goals. Letting in three on the first eight shots is going to put you behind,” said Kitchener head coach Jay McKee after pulling Luke Richardson under 10 minutes into the game after a poor team start.
“We’re chasing way too many games, and our goalies have to change something up as well. We can’t be giving up goals from just inside the blueline on the first shot.”
The Rangers did their best to try and claw back, closing within one goal three separate times. Adam Mascherin earned his first OHL career hat-trick, which included the Teddy Bear Toss goal. An astounding 10,908 were collected this year – a team record.
The Rangers’ poor starts continue to hurt though. In the last three games, Kitchener has given up a combined eight goals in the first period.
“Something does have to change. We’re going to address it,” said McKee, who left his team in the room waiting for him to complete post-game interviews. “We’re going to have to chat about some of the experiences we have been through as a coaching staff; how we prepared.”
“We can’t hold their hands in the dressing room. It comes down to the leadership group and making sure the guys are ready.”
