Blueshirts see support courtesy the 6-1-3 against Saginaw
Posted Nov 17, 2018 03:01:00 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Those numbers are tattooed on Nick McHugh.
It's the area code of his hometown, Ottawa, and he made a capital-sized impact in his return to the Kitchener Rangers roster.
Kitchener slapped the Saginaw Spirit 5-2 Friday on East Ave. McHugh started the game on the fourth line, after missing 11 games with a facial injury when he was hit with a puck while sitting on the bench.
“[Dennis] Wideman was joking before the game saying, 'He's on the fourth line?',” said Rangers head coach Jay McKee. “I said, 'Ya. I want to ease him into it.' [Wideman] laughed and said, 'That's not going to last long.'”
It lasted about eight minutes.
Before his injury, McHugh was slotted on the top line with Rickard Hugg and Riley Damiani; a spot that was filled by rookie Reid Valade to start the game Friday.
“I didn't think Reid had a great start. He was a little out of his position defensively. I just wanted to give McHugh one shift there to sort of send a message to Reid, and they go out and score a goal,” said McKee. “So, it was tough to take him off it. That line was exceptional together.”
Forget the first line, it was tough when the kid they call, “Q” was out of the line-up altogether.
With Nick in the line-up this year the Rangers are 7-2-2. Compare that to a record of 3-8 without him. That's a difference of 10 points over 11 games.
Is the former seventh-round pick that important?
“I think he is,” said Damiani. “He brings a different vibe in the room no one else can. He just keeps everyone light. He's making jokes and not letting guys get down on themselves. You really need a guy like that around the room and to get him back, it's a whole new type of energy.”
“He's very important,” said McKee. “When he's out of our lineup; just with the penalty kill alone, it cuts it down to four – maybe five – guys I'll use on the penalty kill. That just adds to their minutes on the night and tires them out. This year he's putting up more points than in the past. He's got some confidence. He's got some swagger. He's a great kid in the room. He's been missed.”
His return was felt immediately by his good friend Damiani, who earned his first career OHL hat-trick.
Uncharacteristic of the Rangers faithful though, there wasn't one hat thrown onto the ice.
Not one.
No hats.
For a hat-trick.
A hat-trick.
In Canada.
Without hats.
“I was shocked at that,” said McKee. “I just poked fun at Riley in [the room]. I don't think the PA announcer should have to go on and remind people he just scored his third goal.”
Damiani's hat-trick came just three games after he scored twice against the Sarnia Sting.
“Nice to get that one out of the way,” said the Dallas Stars draft-pick. “Have to be thankful for McHugh's play on the wall to get me the puck. Hugg was messing around with me asking if I was going to get it today.”
The Rangers are in Barrie Saturday. Pregame at 7:00 p.m. on 570 NEWS.
