Kitchener Rangers 2023-24 Season Thread (Part 4)

[Krangers08]

All things considered I like the lines.

 

[rve24]

Hunter and Henry's father passed away at age 49.

Sad. Lost both my parents early, but not at their age. That's so rough. Thoughts with both brothers and their family.

 

[GeoBlue]

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/jeffrey-brzustewicz-obituary?id=54171893

 

[rangersblues]

Sad. Lost both my parents early, but not at their age. That's so rough. Thoughts with both brothers and their family.

The Brzustewiczs' grand father passed away in December too. That's a lot to deal with.

 

[LDN]

The Brzustewiczs' grand father passed away in December too. That's a lot to deal with.

Poor kids. They are going to represent their family name well

 

[RangerNation]

Dang, so close.

 

[Krangers08]

Fun game. 3 beauty goals back to back to back. With Sop, Sälè and Hayes.
The line of Brady Martin and Lam will be fun to watch next year

 

[bobber]

Impressive showing in the Soo by the short handed Rangers. Played 60 minutes. Six players out of the line up and a bunch of youngsters inserted. Really wasn't that impressed with the Soo in this game. They must of had that "flu" going through a full line up. Sop was all over the ice last night. If the Rangers could muster some sort of a power play this game was in the bag.

 

[RB76]

Teams are adjusting to our PowerPlay and applying max pressure in our own zone. Jussi will need to make adjustments quickly or our losing streak may continue for a few games.

 

[bobber]

Teams are adjusting to our PowerPlay and applying max pressure in our own zone. Jussi will need to make adjustments quickly or our losing streak may continue for a few games.

Jussi did mention the lack of scoring on the power play post game. It's difficult to right now with the top players out of the line up. Rehkopf has to find a way to step up a bit more. The Soo TV guys mentioned Martin would be back next week which was strange. Also someone mentioned Bruz will be back against Saggy.

 

[Rangers True Blue]

If that stick was just a few inches lower, it would have been 3-2 Rangers. What a performance by a team with so many players out including 2 top line forwards and the top 2 D. If only they could have gone into OT with a tie then with London's shoot out loss, nothing would have changed. Even still, Rangers are sitting just 2 points back. Could be worse. And may be yet if Saginaw has its way. Hopefully, the boys have enough in the tank to push back.

Rehkopf in a bit of a lull without his two wingers. That can't last. And nice to Sale score his first with the Rangers. How about those rookies?? WOW

 

[ohloutsider]

I thought Kitchener played very well. Work ethic was there just not enough "skilled" guys in the line up for the finish part of the game. Soo is a skilled team.

 

[EvenSteven]

I expected a thrashing last night. Hats to the boys for playing a pretty good game. Parsons was stellar.

 

[DeletedAccountt]

Impressive showing in the Soo by the short handed Rangers. Played 60 minutes. Six players out of the line up and a bunch of youngsters inserted. Really wasn't that impressed with the Soo in this game. They must of had that "flu" going through a full line up. Sop was all over the ice last night. If the Rangers could muster some sort of a power play this game was in the bag.

First game back with everyone, expect things to be a little stagnant. Barker missed 14 games and looked great. If that’s how we played “under the weather” maybe you should be scared….

Also, if my grandma had balls… you know how it goes

Edit: why can’t I react to posts now, now for sure people won’t know I’m joking cause I can’t even laugh react to their post hahah

I expected a thrashing last night. Hats to the boys for playing a pretty good game. Parsons was stellar.

Go Rangers Go in Saginaw

 

[bobber]

If that stick was just a few inches lower, it would have been 3-2 Rangers. What a performance by a team with so many players out including 2 top line forwards and the top 2 D. If only they could have gone into OT with a tie then with London's shoot out loss, nothing would have changed. Even still, Rangers are sitting just 2 points back. Could be worse. And may be yet if Saginaw has its way. Hopefully, the boys have enough in the tank to push back.

Rehkopf in a bit of a lull without his two wingers. That can't last. And nice to Sale score his first with the Rangers. How about those rookies?? WOW

Sale scored his second so that's a plus. Looking what happened in London last night. This is why it's hard to predict anything in the OHL. A hot goalie and a few well timed goals anything can happen.

 

[DeletedAccountt]

Sale scored his second so that's a plus. Looking what happened in London last night. This is why it's hard to predict anything in the OHL. A hot goalie and a few well timed goals anything can happen.

This season is the season of unpredictability, that’s for sure

 

[rangersblues]

Jussi did mention the lack of scoring on the power play post game. It's difficult to right now with the top players out of the line up. Rehkopf has to find a way to step up a bit more. The Soo TV guys mentioned Martin would be back next week which was strange. Also someone mentioned Bruz will be back against Saggy.

I felt that was one of the team's best efforts since November.

I'm surprised either Martin or Brzustewicz would be playing so soon. I just hope both aren't being rushed because of the injury situation. There's no need to have lasting effects.

 

[bobber]

I felt that was one of the team's best efforts since November.

I'm surprised either Martin or Brzustewicz would be playing so soon. I just hope both aren't being rushed because of the injury situation. There's no need to have lasting effects.

The Soo tv guys mentioned Martin coming back and I think Farwell mentioned Bruz playing today. Not sure how accurate this is but it was mentioned.

 

[HockeyPops]

I think Mark Matier said something like "Martin about a week away." Is he listed as week-to-week? I suspect he doesn't have any inside info.

 

[Squirrel88]

I thought that MacNiel had a pretty good game. He seems a little more comfortable now that he has played a few games. I can see him being Reid's defensive conscience sometime next year. He needs to put on a little bulk though.

I also thought it was great that the coaches were throwing the rookie line out for defensive zone draws against higher lines from SSM (and that they didn't get filled in during those minutes). Early on it was Stark Romano Lam, and then when Romano was boosted higher in the lineup, Stark Arquette Lam. Those experiences will pay off next year.

To me, it looked like one of Lam's poorer games. He seemed to struggle at times playing through the physicality, unlike earlier in the season. It is a long season for the rookies and a break here and there when the missing players are back may be a benefit for them.

 

[Jives]

I think Sale and Sop is working well with Misa being a good complementary player for those 2. I think that’s 3 lines now (lines 1,2 and 4) that when healthy are set. I think the lines are becoming much clearly now when a full line up is back. If that 3rd line can gel I really like all 4 lines. I think Martin and Lam will be really good together playing against some weaker D pairings.

Swick - Rehkopf - Mesar
Sale - Sop - Misa
Martin - Ellinas - Lam
Bott - Mercer - Pug

Ex - Romano (who is playing way better lately) and Stark

Bruz - Ando
Motew - Reid
Campbell - Savard

Ex - Dirracolo

 

[HockeyPops]

To me, it looked like one of Lam's poorer games. He seemed to struggle at times playing through the physicality, unlike earlier in the season. It is a long season for the rookies and a break here and there when the missing players are back may be a benefit for them.

If that was one of Lams poorer games then you definitely have a keeper. I thought he was one of your standouts. Showed a lot of skill and looked dangerous all game. Sure, he struggled physically and will benefit from adding some weight in the off season, but what young player wouldn't?

 

[bobber]

I thought that MacNiel had a pretty good game. He seems a little more comfortable now that he has played a few games. I can see him being Reid's defensive conscience sometime next year. He needs to put on a little bulk though.

I also thought it was great that the coaches were throwing the rookie line out for defensive zone draws against higher lines from SSM (and that they didn't get filled in during those minutes). Early on it was Stark Romano Lam, and then when Romano was boosted higher in the lineup, Stark Arquette Lam. Those experiences will pay off next year.

To me, it looked like one of Lam's poorer games. He seemed to struggle at times playing through the physicality, unlike earlier in the season. It is a long season for the rookies and a break here and there when the missing players are back may be a benefit for them.

One of the Soo players took a penalty against Lam. It wasn't intentional as far as I could see which isn't that far. I think the opposing players glove brushed Lam's eye on the play. Noticed him rubbing his eye a few times after when he was out as if it was irritated.

 

[Squirrel88]

If that was one of Lams poorer games then you definitely have a keeper. I thought he was one of your standouts. Showed a lot of skill and looked dangerous all game. Sure, he struggled physically and will benefit from adding some weight in the off season, but what young player wouldn't?

Fair comments. Watching on TV, I'm likely less engaged, but I thought that his game lacked some of the 'pop' that he has had previously. I thought that in a couple games lately, which was why I suggested some rest mixed in might be beneficial (once there are enough bodies around to permit it). KIT will certainly be looking to him for offence in the future, though, starting next year. We have seen enough to be confident that it will come. He and Hayes have been among the more impressive rookie scorers, given their draft position and age.

 

[RB76]

I think Sale and Sop is working well with Misa being a good complementary player for those 2. I think that’s 3 lines now (lines 1,2 and 4) that when healthy are set. I think the lines are becoming much clearly now when a full line up is back. If that 3rd line can gel I really like all 4 lines. I think Martin and Lam will be really good together playing against some weaker D pairings.

Swick - Rehkopf - Mesar
Sale - Sop - Misa
Martin - Ellinas - Lam
Bott - Mercer - Pug

Ex - Romano (who is playing way better lately) and Stark

Bruz - Ando
Motew - Reid
Campbell - Savard

Ex - Dirracolo

Romano and Stark are showing promise and developing confidence. Really too bad we couldn’t have kept Hamara and Schmidt on the backend.