‘Unacceptable’: Rangers coach criticizes effort in loss to Otters

A night after snapping their five-game losing streak, the Kitchener Rangers couldn’t make it two in a row. They lost to the Erie Otters 6-1 on Saturday night in Erie.

The Otters jumped out to a 2-0 lead just over two minutes into the game and led 4-0 after the 1st period.

Rangers Head Coach Jussi Ahokas said the team’s effort wasn’t good enough.

“Unacceptable that we come in here and show up like that. That was terrible. That’s not our culture. You win one game and you think you can play well. We weren’t ready. We weren’t ready at all,” Ahokas said. “Every player has to go (inside) their head, are they ready to give their best. Because today we weren’t, that’s pretty much the first time the whole year.”

Simon Motew had the lone Rangers goal and also said the team needs to improve its effort.

“We’re a spoiled team. For any young kids out there, we’re probably treated the best in the OHL and it comes with pride,” said Motew. “We have to go out there and earn it every single day, and I think right now we’re playing arrogant and we think we’re the best team in the world. When we go out there and don’t have any energy or don’t have any kick, it shows.”

The Rangers have now lost six of their last seven games and are seven points behind London in the OHL’s Midwest Division.

Kitchener faces the Kingston Frontenacs on Friday.

CityNews 570 will have the call from Kingston with pregame beginning at 6:35 p.m.

You can listen to Saturday’s Rangers Talk by clicking here.