Kitchener Rangers 2024-25 Season Thread, Part II

[Rangers True Blue]

Rangers didn't seem all that interested in playing (other than Pridham) last night until around the 3rd. Up to then, they didn't have the same sense of urgency that we have seen in the past. Were Rangers looking ahead to London?

They woke up in the 3rd and started pushing back against a D that reminded me of the old Plymouth Whalers where at least 4 of their players would fold-in towards the net like an accordion. Now there's a wall to contend with.

And yes, what's with their PP? It was just starting to come around and then...nada. How can you not score a goal with a 4-minute PP??

Ando was in a foul mood all night. The Fronts were on him quite a bit. Ando retaliated and paid the price. So it was karma when Ando scored the winning goal.

 

[GeoBlue]

Rangers didn't seem all that interested in playing (other than Pridham) last night until around the 3rd. Up to then, they didn't have the same sense of urgency that we have seen in the past. Were Rangers looking ahead to London?

They woke up in the 3rd and started pushing back against a D that reminded me of the old Plymouth Whalers where at least 4 of their players would fold-in towards the net like an accordion. Now there's a wall to contend with.

And yes, what's with their PP? It was just starting to come around and then...nada. How can you not score a goal with a 4-minute PP??

Ando was in a foul mood all night. The Fronts were on him quite a bit. Ando retaliated and paid the price. So it was karma when Ando scored the winning goal.

Pridham stood out like a sore thumb. He was a one man wrecking crew and could have easily gotten 3 or 4 goals. Missing Chromiak on the PP but I think it's been a few games now where we have sputtered. But as long as we keep winning, I am not that concerned.

 

[bobber]

Rangers didn't seem all that interested in playing (other than Pridham) last night until around the 3rd. Up to then, they didn't have the same sense of urgency that we have seen in the past. Were Rangers looking ahead to London?

They woke up in the 3rd and started pushing back against a D that reminded me of the old Plymouth Whalers where at least 4 of their players would fold-in towards the net like an accordion. Now there's a wall to contend with.

And yes, what's with their PP? It was just starting to come around and then...nada. How can you not score a goal with a 4-minute PP??

Ando was in a foul mood all night. The Fronts were on him quite a bit. Ando retaliated and paid the price. So it was karma when Ando scored the winning goal.

Rangers also never scored previously on two 5 minute advantages on other games.

 

[Krangers08]

0-for-18 over the last 5 games. 2 5 minute pp in that time.
Ranger PP is sitting at 21% while holding the best PK at 85.5%

 

[GeoBlue]

What happened on that play where Romano got clipped in the mouth? He seemed to be okay and he lined up for the face off but the official sent him off. Did he have to get off because he was the "victim" of the penalty? Is this a rule I have missed all these years? Does it apply to a player being tripped? Or interfered with? Or was he still bleeding and the ref ordered him off to get patched up?

 

[Gondrex]

The 2007 age group draft is the strongest draft the rangers have had in a LONG time. These players will be 19 years old come mem cup year. The 2008 has some good players too and we have yet to see our 1st round draft pick Headrick.

Potential line up for mem cup year.

Lam 19 - Romano 19 - Stark 19
Arquette 19 - Ellinas OA - Ellis 19
Antsis 18 - Headrick 18 - Cameron 19
Labrash 19 - Import - Import

Campbell OA - Reid 19
Bilecki 18 - Max OA
MacNeil 19 - Schneider 19

Schaubel - 18
Edwards - 19

So we are 2 years away. All these players have this year and next year to get better. We have 0 imports in this line up plus we will add some good 2009 players in this upcoming draft. Xu is rumoured. I still think Valentini eventually comes. This will be a very veteran team in 2 years with a lot of options to greatly improve the team at zero costs in the next 1.5 years. I’m still all for giving the team in 2 years the best chance and that means moving out some vets this year to have a bunch of picks to get better and improve weaknesses in 2 years.

I know the above is for illustration purposes, but to be serious contender it would need a few tweaks IMO.

They'll need a Connor Punnett-type D-man (or two) on the backend and likely a bit more toughness up front before I personally feel confident they get out of the Western Conference. The lack of toughness on the backend (and overall) last year came to light pretty quickly in the 2nd half when London started playing "their game", and was equally evident in round 2 of the playoffs. Now maybe this team eventually gets a bit of nastiness out of Dirracolo, MacNeil and Schneider....I don't know, but that still remains to be seen.

 

[Jives]

I know the above is for illustration purposes, but to be serious contender it would need a few tweaks IMO.

They'll need a Connor Punnett-type D-man (or two) on the backend and likely a bit more toughness up front before I personally feel confident they get out of the Western Conference. The lack of toughness on the backend (and overall) last year came to light pretty quickly in the 2nd half when London started playing "their game", and was equally evident in round 2 of the playoffs. Now maybe this team eventually gets a bit of nastiness out of Dirracolo, MacNeil and Schneider....I don't know, but that still remains to be seen.

I can agree with that. I was just posting that the foundation is there for a very solid team. And unloading vets this year to fill those voids needed in 2 years is a must this year. There will be holes for sure….toughness and I’m not convinced an 18 year old goalie is the right move to compete unless he is absolutely a stud like George in Owen Sound.

Holes will be there….picks will be needed to fill those holes…we have the players this year to get those picks….we aren’t beating London in a 7 game series….this seems like an easy choice on what to do this year.