The Kitchener Rangers are heading to the playoffs.
Despite a tumultuous season, a six-game winning streak has helped the Blueshirts get into the postseason.
“In Kitchener, we expect to make the playoffs every year,” said general manager Mike McKenzie.
The Rangers scored three goals in the second period Friday, and smacked the Owen Sound Attack 8-3.
Kitchener improves to 9-2-2-0 under McKenzie and Co. Over their six-game winning streak, they've outscored their opponents 28-9.
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LISTEN: Colour Commentator Chris Pope spoke with former Rangers forward, and Game 7 overtime hero, Mike Petizian. He, Connor Hall, and Justin Nolet won the AUS Championship with the UNB Reds. They're heading to the National Championships.
Filip Mesar had three assists in Friday's win, while Francesco Arcuri and Carson Rehkopf both had a multi-goal game.
Adrian Misaljevic, Francesco Pinelli, Mitch Martin, and Matt Sop all added singles. Danny Zhilkin missed the game, being ill.
For Misaljevic, it was his first game back after missing 19 games with concussion-like symptoms.
The win puts the Rangers in seventh place, one point back of the Guelph Storm and Flint Firebirds. Kitchener still has a game-in-hand on both of them.
“It's nice to clinch, but we have more games left, and we're going to try and move up in the standings,” said McKenzie. “They're feeling good right now, but it can turn quickly, so we have to keep the pedal down.”
Next up, two massive games for the Rangers to really send the rest of the league a true message.
First-up, a trip to face the West Division leaders, the Windsor Spitfires. Then, Sunday it's off to Sarnia to see the Sting, who have points in their last 11 games.
Pregame tonight from Windsor is at 6:30 p.m. with Mike Farwell and Chris Pope.
