Rangers play two tight road games in Winnipeg
The Parkland Rangers earned two of a possible four points this weekend after a tough 4-3 loss on Sunday afternoon in Winnipeg’s Gateway Arena. The Rangers and Thrashers delivered a highly entertaining, fast and physical game to the crowd that featured a number of lead changes. The loss came on the heels of a hard-fought 3-2 shootout win over the Winnipeg Bruins at Southdale Arena on Saturday evening in another top-notch display of U18 AAA hockey.
Saturday’s visit by the Rangers to Southdale Arena marked their first opportunity to square off against a highly talented Bruins team that sat in third place thanks to a 13-7-2 record. Rangers goalie Chase Glover was outstanding in both games and he started the weekend off with 34 saves, including 15 in the opening frame to give the Rangers time to shake off their bus legs. After falling behind 1-0, Cade Legaarden got the guests back on level terms when he finished off an outstanding cross crease pass from Ethan McMullan. Maddox Shindle picked up the other assist on the power play goal. The middle frame saw a flip in the script as the Rangers carried the play and limited the Bruins chances. Parkland grabbed their first lead of the game late in the period when Quinten Fisk won an offensive zone faceoff directly to Cash Clarkson who ripped home his 13th goal of the season. The visitors played a textbook third period, limiting a potent Bruins attack to 8 shots on goal. Unfortunately, a point shot squeezed between two Rangers and past a screened Glover with just 1:05 left on the clock to force overtime. With nothing settled in the extra session, the shootout was the final test for each team. The Bruins scored first to put the squeeze on the Rangers shooters and Tavyn Boychuk and Clarkson were both denied by the Winnipeg goaltender. Glover made three straight saves to allow Fisk and Legaarden a chance to come through and both were successful, sending the Rangers to the bus as 3-2 winners.
Sunday’s game was no less exciting but less rewarding for the Rangers. After a night in the hotel it was hoped that the squad would get off to a fast start, but once again it was up to Glover to stem the tide in the opening period. The Thrashers jumped out to a 15-1 lead in shots on goal but they were repeatedly denied. Parkland broke the ice with just 24 seconds left in the first frame when Hayden Seib and McMullan combined to set up Clarkson for a power play tally. The Rangers kept the momentum rolling through the second period, outshooting the hosts 13-8 but this time it was Thrashers goalie Taye Timmerman who found a way to keep his squad in the game. The physical play ramped up as the period wore on and the style seemed to suit the Rangers who were able to shut the door defensively and utilize their aggressiveness on the forecheck. Early in the third period the game took a dramatic shift as the officials began a steady parade of players to the sin bin. The Rangers surrendered a power play tally just three minutes into the third before Linden Smigelsky banged one home to restore the Rangers lead. Fisk and Sam Swanton were credited with assists on the play. Just over a minute later the Thrashers levelled the scores again with another power play marker. Winnipeg took the lead with six minutes remaining on a crazy bouncing point shot that worked its way through a crowd but Parkland showed no quit, equalizing just two minutes later. Seib scored the goal after some slick work on the wall with Legaarden drawing the lone assist. Unfortunately, the tie lasted just 27 seconds as the Thrashers were the beneficiaries of a couple of fortunate bounces that saw the puck end up behind Glover. Despite some late pressure, the Rangers were unable to find an equalizer and had to settle for a split of the weekend games.
Rangers Ramblings: The Rangers finished the weekend exactly where they started, in ninth place. Their record sits at 8-10-3 as the midway point of the season approaches… Next action for Parkland will be this weekend when the Pembina Valley Hawks visit the CUP. The Hawks sit in seventh place with a record of 8-9-5, two points clear of the Rangers… Clarkson’s two goals this weekend have him tied for the league lead with several other players at 14… Legaarden, Clarkson and Seib continue to pace the Parkland attack with 22 points each… Seib scored a goal in both games at the MU18AAA Best on Best Showcase last weekend. Both McMullan and Seib were excellent for their squad as they went 1-1 over the two games… Parkland’s final game of 2023 will be a Tuesday, December 19 trip to Shoal Lake to face the Yellowhead Chiefs… Former Ranger Jayce Hawryluk currently has 7 points through 16 games with Bili Tygri Liberec in the Czechia Extraliga…