Rangers rule wearing Remembrance jerseys in wild one with Sting
Posted Nov 10, 2018 03:39:00 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The most appealing aspect of the Kitchener Rangers' game Friday night was their commemorative Remembrance Day sweaters.
“That is one you double-up on and spend six hours breaking down,” said Kitchener head coach Jay McKee of the game tape.
Despite the wild, weird and wonky play, the Rangers stopped the Sarnia Sting 6-5 in a shootout.
The Blueshirts, wearing their beautiful sweaters honouring the 100th anniversary of the ending of World War I, jumped out to a 1-0 lead after Arber Xhekaj's first Ontario Hockey League goal just 3:25 into the game.
Kitchener then trailed three times; 2-1, 3-2 and 4-2 and later 5-4.
“Knowing we can [come back], it gives us a lot of confidence,” said Riley Damiani, who scored two goals and added another in the shootout. “It shows the character in that room and it shows we all want to buy-in and really want to win.”
“After going three games with only two goals, to then have five in regulation in the past couple, that's good for the psyche,” said McKee. “Being the coach, I'm going to look for the areas of improvement and we certainly have to be better defensively.”
Ten goals in two periods before a scoreless third and overtime that had chances at both ends before Sarnia essentially ran out the final minute with the puck in their own end, pushing the game to a shootout.
Three-of-five Rangers scored in the breakaway competition, while goalie Lucas Pfeil stopped the fifth Sting shooter, Sean Josling to secure the win.
“[Pfeil] was struggling a bit with the pucks,” said McKee of the start of the game. “He was challenged in front of the group going into the third. He gave us a chance to win and held tight in the shootout, so it's kudos to him.”
“You could tell he was really dialled,” Damiani added about his rookie goaltender. “He cares a ton. It's good to see him battle some adversity and come back strong.”
The Rangers are back in action Sunday afternoon in London against the Knights.
Pregame is 1:30 p.m. on 570 NEWS.
STORY BY CHRIS POPE.
