A hat-trick of hat-tricks has Rangers rolling

The 0-5 start for the Kitchener Rangers seems like forever ago.

In fact, it has only been ten days since they earned their first win. Add on three more, and the Blueshirts are now just one game below .500.

Mitchell Martin notched a hat-trick, and the Rangers routed the Guelph Storm Tuesday, 7-1.

It's the third straight home game where Kitchener has had a forward haul hats to the ice. Carson Rehkopf roped three goals October 16 vs Flint, and captain Francesco Pinelli popped a trick four days later.

The captain's hot-streak continued. He hammed home two more goals, Tuesday. Hunter Brzustewicz extended his point – and assist – streak to eight games, and fellow defenseman Ty Hollett hauled in three helpers in the win.

What the later two did is even more impressive given the Rangers only had four defensemen playing in the game.

“I thought we were great,” said head coach Chris Dennis. “I thought the first period, especially the first ten minutes, we really played the way we needed to to make sure they weren't being overtaxed.”

Dennis' hands were tied.

Tomas Hamara was serving Game 1 of a two-game suspension after a slew foot Saturday in Guelph and Simon Motew was suffering from an injury.

“As of right now, we are not expecting Mots [Motew] to be in Friday,” said Dennis. “That could change, but it's unlikely.”

Jack Harper was the odd-man out, because the Rangers are still sitting with four overagers on their team, and you can only dress three for a game.

But, oddly enough, it was the fewest goals the Rangers have allowed this season.

Martin, who's been playing on a line with overagers Joseph Serpa and Reid Valade, knows it was important to play “team defence.”

[Our line is] really offensive, but I feel like we do have a good defensive presence and we take care of our own end really well, which helps us a lot,” said the Sudbury-native.

The Rangers have ripped off four straight wins, outscoring their opponents 24-8.

“We started coming to the rink and having a bit more fun,” said Martin. “Early on, we were putting a lot of pressure on ourselves. Now, we're just playing free and keeping it light at the rink.”

They try to keep their freedom going on Friday, when they host the Erie Otters. The Harris Law pregame show begins at 7:00 p.m. with Mike Farwell and Chris Pope.