Kitchener Rangers 2022-23 Season Thread

[Tyler8525]

what a game the additions of constantini and mesar are huge . Starting to look like a serious contender. Great game by Pinelli too

 

[Jives]

That’s more the Rangers most of us were expecting to start the season. Messed completes the top 2 lines. I think Pinelli is going to enjoy playing with him.

 

[robertmac43]

My goodness, this team is going to be fun to watch with the new additions!

 

[Rangers True Blue]

Still a work in progress but the Rangers gave us a glimpse of what's ahead. Don't mess with the top two lines. The chemistry will only increase with RPM. And you could tell that Mesar was indeed having fun out there last night. He's enjoying playing with his own age group and bonding with them off ice. He's also finding out that the OHL is a tougher league than others have imagined. Guelph tonight and here Tuesday. LET'S GO!

 

[bobber]

Rangers took advantage of their opportunities last night. I think the Wolves are a decent team and will challenge a lot of opponents this year. Penalties took a toll on them. Not sure what the "match penalty" was about? Was the extra shove after the initial infraction or he mouthed to the ref after being called on the first. That kid was undisciplined as hell last night. I think five on five the Rangers struggled for a while. Mesar really did add an element to this team. Glad to see Pinelli step up. Maybe having a skilled player like Mesar is what was lacking in his game. Hopefully they keep it going. I think you will see some other additions to strengthen the bottom lines. Although I thought they provided some energy played well when counted on. The new goalie was solid. I liked the fact that Schmidt stood up for a change. He is a big player and needs to add an element of grit if he wants to play pro IMO.

 

[aresknights]

Nice to Mesar off to a good stsrt.

 

[Gondrex]

Good start to the "Mesar era". It's just one game, but the potential for him elevating this team's play is promising going forward. If we see more of the same from the RPM line, other teams will eventually realize that they need to contain them - could mean physically. So last night's production from that line won't likely happen every night.

For this team to be a contender, I still feel that:

- Defensive zone needs to improve, although I think it looked much better last night.

- The older players (02's and 03's) need to be consistently good. I believe that the teams that make it to the end of the playoffs are older on average. Those players have to be better than the average. From this group I'm not sure how Fishman and Sop fit in if they are not playing upper minutes. They do play well, but is it enough ?

- As mentioned, an addition or two are still going to be needed if a long run in the playoffs is going to happen. Arguably there is no rush to do this until the deadline in order to confirm the team's needs.

All just my opinion of course.

 

[bobber]

Just an opinion but I think MM will see the need to bring in an element of toughness now that Mesar has arrived. He will become a target.

 

[robertmac43]

Mesar....Wow this kid is good. Going to be a fun year!

 

[bobber]

Missed the Hamara slew foot penalty. Any opinions on it. Refs did seem to be making some cheap calls.

 

[GeoBlue]

Missed the Hamara slew foot penalty. Any opinions on it. Refs did seem to be making some cheap calls.

I watched the game but missed it anyway. I always thought slew foot involved feet.

 

[K2]

Missed the Hamara slew foot penalty. Any opinions on it. Refs did seem to be making some cheap calls.

Legit call by current CHL standards: stick was high under arm leveraging a backward takedown of Bowman over Hamara's leg. Supplemental, if any, should be bare minimum as it was a seemingly coincidental takedown by a first offender and no injury resulted.

I watched the game but missed it anyway. I always thought slew foot involved feet.

Once the Refs had their rulebook, iPad and micrometer in hand they found a match (penalty)

"...uses his leg as leverage and pushes the opponent’s upper body backward causing his opponent to trip or fall."

52.1 Slew-footing
Slew-footing is the act of a player using his leg or foot to knock or kick an opponent’s feet from under him, or pushes an opponent’s upper body backward with an arm or elbow, and at the same time with a forward motion of his leg, knocks or kicks the opponent’s feet from under him, or uses his leg as leverage and pushes the opponent’s upper body backward causing his opponent to trip or fall.
(OHL 2022-2023)

 

[Rangers True Blue]

In a game where Guelph pummeled the Ranger for much of the first two periods, it looked bleak for Kitchener. But what a comeback! Parsons blanked Zhilkin and Mesar blazed, deked, and scored to win the game. Wow!

Tuesday should be a revenge game for Guelph but I'd like to see the Rangers pummel back this time and control for a win.

 

[K2]

In a game where Guelph pummeled the Ranger for much of the first two periods, it looked bleak for Kitchener. But what a comeback! Parsons blanked Zhilkin and Mesar blazed, deked, and scored to win the game. Wow!

Keeping the Guelph PP, including a couple 5on3 kills (without Hamara), to 1-7 during the pummeling kept us in the game. Mesar sure is a bigtime gamebreaker, already piling up points to lift the whole team and you have to like our goaltending duo.

 

[Gondrex]

Not the best game for the Rangers, although hard to generate offense with so many penalties.

Credit to Parsons for being so mentally strong despite being relegated to back-up. He was solid between the pipes.

Brzustewicz is a rock, and consistent game in and game out......so dependable. The D must be absolutely worn out after Hamara's departure.

Josh Brown is on the same page as some of us. Wish list includes a reliable 19 year-old D-man along with a winger that has some impact. I think his Cutter Gauthier dream is "a bit out there" but can't blame someone for that wishful thinking.

 

[bobber]

Parsons was stellar yesterday. Chris Pope article says Parsons only turns 18 next month. Still a young goalie. Parsons says he has already picked up pointers from Constantini. This is great going forward. Last 2 games though the Rangers struggled at times 5 on 5. Better effort in that area required going forward. Can't always depend on the goalie and Mesar to bail the team out. Storm had 9 power plays. Storm players did look at the ref after every hit with big sad looking eyes. Game within a game.

 

[K2]

Arber's first NHL goal!

 

[EvenSteven]

Josh Brown is on the same page as some of us. Wish list includes a reliable 19 year-old D-man along with a winger that has some impact. I think his Cutter Gauthier dream is "a bit out there" but can't blame someone for that wishful thinking.

For me, possibilities could be:

LW- Humphrey - Hamilton
RW- Sirizzotti - Niagara
LD- Hache - Kingston
LD- Holmes - Sudbury.

These guys wouldn’t be the top end elite who’ll eventually be available out there. But, I would target some if not all of them. MM has loaded up with multiple vets in the past in contending years. I’d be surprised if he didn’t do the same this year. And these guys are affordable.

Most would be good OA possibilities next year as well.

Just a thought.

 

[Rangers True Blue]

Not the best game for the Rangers, although hard to generate offense with so many penalties.

Credit to Parsons for being so mentally strong despite being relegated to back-up. He was solid between the pipes.

Brzustewicz is a rock, and consistent game in and game out......so dependable. The D must be absolutely worn out after Hamara's departure.

Josh Brown is on the same page as some of us. Wish list includes a reliable 19 year-old D-man along with a winger that has some impact. I think his Cutter Gauthier dream is "a bit out there" but can't blame someone for that wishful thinking.

Ryan Fine.....Rangers 5th in 2021....has reportedly decommitted from Boston U. Any chance of getting him to report? Too bad that Dallas didn't send Fegaras to Rangers and the OHL.

 

[EvenSteven]

Ryan Fine.....Rangers 5th in 2021....has reportedly decommitted from Boston U. Any chance of getting him to report? Too bad that Dallas didn't send Fegaras to Rangers and the OHL.

If nothing else, it’s a good sign.

But, he’s at the NTDP. Wouldn’t it cost a ton to get out of his contract with that team this season? (See Max Jones from a few years ago)

 

[K2]

Ryan Fine....

Maybe next year, after he's done NTDP, provided he doesn't somehow resume being academically inclined and opt for another school's offer.

LW- Humphrey - Hamilton
RW- Sirizzotti - Niagara
LD- Hache - Kingston
LD- Holmes - Sudbury.

I like Holmes, Humphrey too. Niagara probably needs Sirizzotti and surely thinks we fleeced them on the LeBlanc trade at this moment. Hache would be costly IMO.

Hopefully we can still find a home for Harper, even if we waive him productively. Do we ever give Serpa/Valade a rest to get him in another game? Perhaps if we're short a D if Hamara gets any supplemental discipline?

 

[GeoBlue]

Maybe next year, after he's done NTDP, provided he doesn't somehow resume being academically inclined and opt for another school's offer.


I like Holmes, Humphrey too. Niagara probably needs Sirizzotti and surely thinks we fleeced them on the LeBlanc trade at this moment. Hache would be costly IMO.

Hopefully we can still find a home for Harper, even if we waive him productively. Do we ever give Serpa/Valade a rest to get him in another game? Perhaps if we're short a D if Hamara gets any supplemental discipline?

Since Parsons played so well the other night, I was thinking maybe starting him again and bring up Vandenberg as a BU. That way we keep our 2 Forward OA's in the lineup and use Harper as our 6th D. I also recall that we had a couple of solid D at training camp bur there just was not enough room for them. But I suppose that would mean using up valuable "cards"?

Other options.........go with 5 D or put Joey Gareffa back there. Oops, wrong year. LOL!

 

[K2]

Since Parsons played so well the other night, I was thinking maybe starting him again and bring up Vandenberg as a BU

Certainly advantageous apart from the possible hurdle posed by Vandenberg's mono infection & recovery timeline. Hopefully, both can return to play somewhere before long.

 

[EvenSteven]

I like Holmes, Humphrey too. Niagara probably needs Sirizzotti and surely thinks we fleeced them on the LeBlanc trade at this moment. Hache would be costly IMO.

Hopefully we can still find a home for Harper, even if we waive him productively. Do we ever give Serpa/Valade a rest to get him in another game? Perhaps if we're short a D if Hamara gets any supplemental discipline?

I’m assuming that sooner or later, Niagara will come to their senses and try and trade off a couple vets to recoup some draft picks. They are falling down the standings and surely won’t contend this year.

No, the Leblanc’s have not hit the ice like a ball of fire. But, they do have a couple years left each, and Niagara has made worse deals this year.

Especially if Hamara has to sit a couple games, surely they would dress Harper. Either for a Parsons start where Costantini sits in the press box. Or, one of Serpa /Valade sits a game. It shouldn’t rub them the wrong way as better OA’s than them have been scratched for this reason.

 

[K2]

No, the Leblanc’s have not hit the ice like a ball of fire. But, they do have a couple years left each, and Niagara has made worse deals this year

Looks like Andrew got in one game and has been scratched for 3+ weeks, hope he's OK? IceDogs could probably do a top 20 ranking with all their deals I suppose their stack of cards must be spent?