Kitchener Rangers 2024-25 Season Thread, Part IV

[EvenSteven]

I get the feeling that next season there'll big expectations. I don't think you go into it with a goaltending tandem of a 17 year old sophomore and an unproven 18 year old rookie. I'd expect Schaubel is back and we pick up a veteran 19 year old or OA.

Or, depending on how Schaubel plays, and whether or not Pobezal and Chrenko report, the import, a 07, might be the guy.

For me, Schaubel is unproven. He gets wins, but I don’t like his numbers. For MM to claim this import goalie on waivers, he may not be sold on Schaubel either. At least as the starter next year.

It’s never been confirmed, but this might be the guy.

Patrik Kerkola - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Patrik Kerkola, 2007-03-29 Siilinjärvi, FIN Finland. Most recently in the U20 SM-sarja with KalPa U20. Complete player biography and stats.

www.eliteprospects.com

 

[Jives]

I get the feeling that next season there'll big expectations. I don't think you go into it with a goaltending tandem of a 17 year old sophomore and an unproven 18 year old rookie. I'd expect Schaubel is back and we pick up a veteran 19 year old or OA.

The goalie import 2007 rumour would be a perfect fit.

Replied before seeing Even post….that guy would fit awesome in what should be a good 2 years coming.

 

[BenchedGuy]

Extended through 26/27!!! To me, this is huge. I am sure there are clauses but still great news.

Press Release: Kitchener Rangers Announce Trio of Multi-Year Contract Extensions - Kitchener Rangers

Kitchener, ON – The Kitchener Rangers are pleased to announce the contract extensions of Head Coach, Jussi Ahokas, Associate Coach and Assistant General Manager, Jeff Kyrzakos, and Assistant Coach, Brad Flynn through the 2026-27 season. Jussi Ahokas (pronounced you-see, uh-ho-kus): Ahokas...

chl.ca

 

[OnlyUpFromHere]

Or, depending on how Schaubel plays, and whether or not Pobezal and Chrenko report, the import, a 07, might be the guy.

For me, Schaubel is unproven. He gets wins, but I don’t like his numbers. For MM to claim this import goalie on waivers, he may not be sold on Schaubel either. At least as the starter next year.

It’s never been confirmed, but this might be the guy.

Patrik Kerkola - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Patrik Kerkola, 2007-03-29 Siilinjärvi, FIN Finland. Most recently in the U20 SM-sarja with KalPa U20. Complete player biography and stats.

www.eliteprospects.com

Ding ding ding

 

[LostRangers]

Ding ding ding

The Finnish pipeline is open!

 

[Krangers08]

.

 

[EvenSteven]

Ding ding ding

The Finnish pipeline is open!

A few years ago, Finnish goalie UPL starred for Sudbury. OHL league MVP. Goalie of the year.

He went late 2nd round in the NHL draft. That’s around where Kerkola is ranked.

Wouldn’t it be something if he reported and was comparable to UPL? Two years of that?

Sign me up!

 

[Rangers True Blue]

So Jussi has gone back to Finland and not here this weekend and Flynn has be booted out from behind the bench because he yelled at a Ref (the same ref that the Pete's coach yelled at but who's counting?). That leaves Krysakos on his own.

Perhaps MM will help out but I was thinking that a couple of you here on the Boards could fill in. Who volunteers??? Now keep in mind that a few of us would likely get suspended part way through the game....

 

[Ward Cornell]

So Jussi has gone back to Finland and not here this weekend and Flynn has be booted out from behind the bench because he yelled at a Ref (the same ref that the Pete's coach yelled at but who's counting?). That leaves Krysakos on his own.

Perhaps MM will help out but I was thinking that a couple of you here on the Boards could fill in. Who volunteers??? Now keep in mind that a few of us would likely get suspended part way through the game....

I nominate Bobber....he's got a worlds worth of experience dating back to when he was Gordie Howe's peewee coach!

 

[bobber]

I nominate Bobber....he's got a worlds worth of experience dating back to when he was Gordie Howe's peewee coach!

I've got too much Irish in me. Judge banned me for life not to contact the outside world in person.

 

[Rangers True Blue]

I nominate Bobber....he's got a worlds worth of experience dating back to when he was Gordie Howe's peewee coach!

Come on Even Steven!.........you could wear a bluetooth earpiece...and the rest of us could provide valuable insight and recommendations of what to do. If the Ref gets riled up, give him the earpiece and we will give him something to think about....

 

[EvenSteven]

Come on Even Steven!.........you could wear a bluetooth earpiece...and the rest of us could provide valuable insight and recommendations of what to do. If the Ref gets riled up, give him the earpiece and we will give him something to think about....

That’s about the only way I’d get it done. Lord knows I’d be lost in that role without a ton of help!!

But, if MM goes on an extended sabbatical, give me a call. That’s a challenge I’d consider, and have some level of confidence in having success at.

 

[Lokalhockeyfan]

My guess would be Brandon Merli. He use to be behind the bench before Jussi took over. He is still on the staff as a 'Director of Sports Science'

 

[EvenSteven]

So Jussi has gone back to Finland and not here this weekend and Flynn has be booted out from behind the bench because he yelled at a Ref (the same ref that the Pete's coach yelled at but who's counting?). That leaves Krysakos on his own.

Perhaps MM will help out but I was thinking that a couple of you here on the Boards could fill in. Who volunteers??? Now keep in mind that a few of us would likely get suspended part way through the game....

They said on the coach’s show today that Merli and McKenzie will be on the bench.

 

[robertmac43]

Missed the game today - how did we look?

 

[EvenSteven]

Missed the game today - how did we look?

I missed the game too. But I did see a couple minutes of it on tv before we went out.

We looked great! The jerseys I mean. Refreshing look. If we’re not wearing the traditional blue or white, tonight’s look has my vote as new 3rds. Or at least a version of that look.

 

[robertmac43]

I missed the game too. But I did see a couple minutes of it on tv before we went out.

We looked great! The jerseys I mean. Refreshing look. If we’re not wearing the traditional blue or white, tonight’s look has my vote as new 3rds. Or at least a version of that look.

Judging by the highlight package I just watched we could have had 8 goals by the end of the second... Looks like it was pure domination.

Jerseys looked great, always good to see something unique.

 

[GeoBlue]

The jersey's were probably the best "kids" one's I have ever scene. And I have to say that this was probably the Ranger's best game of the year. Something about MM behind the bench brings out the best in them. LOL! Kept Barrie to 4 and 2 shots in the 1st 2 periods until the Colts pushed back in the 3rd. Their goalie make some incredible saves and maybe deserved the 1st star instead of the 2nd. Parsons has some highlight reals himself, especially in the 3rd. Arquette with 2 and a beauty pass from Swick to Reid for the 2nd.

 

[EvenSteven]

We’re overdue for a 3rd jersey change. Personally, as a traditionalist, I’m not a fan of 3rd jerseys.

But I get it why we must have them, and will have them. So why not go with the 3rds that the NYR go with? We boast that we’re the last CHL team who represents direct relationship to the old NHL sponsorship days. I believe it would be a good idea to further continue that by adopting their 3rds as well.

They do a home and away 3rd with silver trim. We could go with those very same jerseys. Just swap out the Lady Liberty crest with the Ranger shield we went with last night. I’ve been advocating for this since the days when we used a takeoff of the Hab’s 3rd jersey (that’s what happens when you have higher ups on the directorship that are Hab fans).

No, it’s not original, but neither are our current home and aways.

I understand the current 3rd jersey and what it represents. But it’s time to switch it up. This has been the 3rd since what, 2009? That’s a long time.
I never understood the red anyway. We’re nicknamed the blue shirts yet go with a red jersey.

 

[LostRangers]

We dominated the first two periods, with Barrie looking disinterested. We did lack some Finnish (pardon the pun), or it could have been 6 or 7 zip. Barrie goalie was stellar but we didn’t help, missing the net on great scoring chances multiple times.
After a bad turnover in the third (we seem challenged to exit our zone when the opposition turns up the heat), and a Barrie goal, a game that should have been put to bed was now in question. But they played some good D down the stretch and secured the 2 points.
On to Greentown for Sunday.

 

[Rangers True Blue]

Two solid periods of Rangers hockey with many missed opportunities. While they stuck to their system and executed it, they are a little snake bitten offensively but better now than in the playoffs. Enter the 3rd period and Barrie is raring to go. Rangers not so much.

But when the Rangers PK survived a 4 minute penalty and a mad scramble around Parsons with everyone but the water boy (ok, maybe not the water boy....they had to keep him out of it in case MM got tossed for glaring at the ref too much), the boys switched back on and pushed back.

I do give credit to the Rangers for, the most part, walking away from scuffles that could have resulted in a penalty fest. They are going to need to do the same in London is they want to have a chance to win. The Knights are in full winning mode. It's not going to be easy and they can't have a 3rd period like they did last night with Barrie. ONWARD. GO RANGERS!

 

[bobber]

Rangers True Blue's synopsis of the game hit it right on the nail. Barrie is snake bitten by the Rangers for some reason or other. One player that really deserves a chance to stay in the line up is Cameron Arquette. He scored 2 beauty goals last night. He has a knack of getting into great scoring positions. Goes into the blue paint for chances also. One a side note I had a teacher back in the old days that gave the strap for spelling mistakes. My hands were always red. That's why I looked up "synopsis" before I used it.