Rangers fall flat facing Flint

Riding a four-game point streak, the Kitchener Rangers laid an egg in Flint against the Firebirds.

Friday, the Blueshirts put up double digits against the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Everything that went well for the Rangers Friday, went wrong Saturday.

The Firebirds came out – sorry for the pun – firing. They scored early, often, and at ease. They smoked the Rangers 6-1.   

“We knew it was going to be a little sluggish with the travel, but that's what you have to do in Junior Hockey,” said general manager Mike McKenzie, who's team travelled from Sault Ste. Marie Saturday before the game.

“Just one of those nights where things didn't go our way. We'll have to move on from it, and be better.”

In the first period, the Firebirds' third-worst power play scored two goals on the man advantage using just a combined 32 seconds.

Marcus Vandenberg stopped 35 shots, It's his first loss in three starts. 

“Marcus will be fine, he's had a couple tough outings and has bounced back from them every time,” said McKenzie. “He's a guy that takes the game really seriously, and his habits are really good. I'm sure he's not happy, and it wasn't his best, but he'll bounce back from it.”  

Francesco Pinelli was the lone goal scorer for the Rangers, spoiling Nathan Day's shutout.

The Rangers are on the road – again – on Family Day. They head to Hamilton to face the Bulldogs, for perhaps the final time in the Steel City.

The pregame show begins at 1:30 p.m. with Mike Farwell and Chris Pope.