Kitchener Rangers 2024-25 Season Thread, Part IV

[bobber]

Normally if the Ranger stick to a the defensive system Jussi put in place they should be able to challenge most teams in any specific game. They haven't played playoff hockey in this series. Fixture mentioned they are too undisciplined and need to be able to take a punch in the face and walk away. Spits are playing playoff hockey. Spits on the other hand are playing post season hockey. They are moving their feet , breaking up plays and limiting the Rangers time in the offensive end. Rangers just haven't been able to get set up in front of the Spits goalie. When the Rangers play perimeter hockey they usually struggle to get the win.

 

[bobber]

Hockeylegend11 on the Spits site said Costanzo has not lost a game at home since game 17of this season.
Rangers have to win the next two home games and find a way to beat Costanzo at home. Quite the mountain to climb.

 

[GeoBlue]

Complaining about our 07 who, other than Reid and Romano aren't getting a lot of ice time, aren't being impact players in their 2nd year in a round 2 playoff series against a very strong team and how that doesn't bode well for the future is a huge stretch imo and just seems like a reaction to 2 very disappointing games.

Our top offensive producer and our best all around center has been out. Windsor's top line is excellent. Our big players aren't making much of a difference. Last series was far more physical from both teams. I don't think we're not physical enough, we really just aren't generating any kind of offense and we haven't found an answer to shutting down any of their big guns.

Parsons is a great goalie, but I've believed all along that if we are to go far, Parsons has to play like the best goalie in the OHL like he has much of the season. It's not his fault we're doing poorly, but it was because of him that we did so much better than we could have anticipated this season.

Others may be pessimistic, but the way they played in round 1, especially some of the younger guys, made me feel that the window might be open next year and the year following, instead of just the following 26-27 season. A lot has to go right, but with the right development trends and additions I see them at least being very competitive next year.

I hate to say it but at this point, Windsor's 08's are looking a hell of a lot better than our 07's.

 

[nelli27]

Will Ellinas and #10 both be back next game?

 

[rangersblues]

Ellinas yes. Miseljevic very doubtful imo

 

[Gondrex]

I hate to say it but at this point, Windsor's 08's are looking a hell of a lot better than our 07's.

I think we all need to keep in mind that our '07's and '08's shouldn't be relied upon to be the difference-makers in the playoffs. Yeah sure there are the Brady Martins, Jake O'Briens, etc that play big roles for their teams. Romano and Reid have also been important to the Rangers, but at the end of the day, if your team's top player(s) is a 17 year-old, you won't go far in the playoffs.

As for the other '07's like Lam, Stark, Arquette, MacNeil and Ellis - whether they're still with this team or another - I don't think we won't really know how well the Rangers did in that draft until they become 19 year-olds....at least in my opinion.

 

[bobber]

The window is open in 26 and 27 seasons. London should be taking a small step back next season. But the team we're playing right now gets almost their whole team back next year too.

For now let's worry about game 3 and hope Elinias can help turn things around.

Windsor should be a handful next year. I like the way they draft

 

[bobber]

I think we all need to keep in mind that our '07's and '08's shouldn't be relied upon to be the difference-makers in the playoffs. Yeah sure there are the Brady Martins, Jake O'Briens, etc that play big roles for their teams. Romano and Reid have also been important to the Rangers, but at the end of the day, if your team's top player(s) is a 17 year-old, you won't go far in the playoffs.

As for the other '07's like Lam, Stark, Arquette, MacNeil and Ellis - whether they're still with this team or another - I don't think we won't really know how well the Rangers did in that draft until they become 19 year-olds....at least in my opinion.

Good points. Some players don't really blossom until their last year.

 

[Fastpace]

If the Rangers don't overthink too much, and with a full team mindset to achieve one goal, and that is to win at all cost with full team discipline. This is the game of no return, they win this game, the momentum shift, and they are right back in it. Lose this, best start planning for your summer because 4 straight against this Windsor team is not happening

 

[Rangers True Blue]

Yes, Missile has had a wonderful season but as Rangers TOP offensive player, he landed at 38 on the season. Swick at #44. No others in the top 50.

In contrast, Windsor had #2, 3, 28, 40, 42, and 45 in the top 50.

Rangers have been a defense-first team with an excellent Parsons. Can Rangers score in bunches? Yes, and from different lines and players BUT if the defensive game is not there, they're toast.

Tonight, they must get the first goal, be first on the puck, commit to their defensive system, and capitalize on their scoring chances (too many wide shots, cute plays, and missed opportunities). Like they did to Flint (which was a much more physical team), they have shut down Spits top players AND stay the hell away from taking stupid penalties.

I know.....perfect storm....but if they have any chance of showing up in this series, they have to play the near perfect game. Possible? That's totally up to the Rangers. LET'S GO.

 

[BenchedGuy]

For those going to the game tonight. If you happen to see who shows up from our latest draft class, would you mind posting later on. Not going to be able to make it to the game tonight myself. Its very interesting/telling on who goes to the first home game after the draft.

 

[bobber]

Yes, Missile has had a wonderful season but as Rangers TOP offensive player, he landed at 38 on the season. Swick at #44. No others in the top 50.

In contrast, Windsor had #2, 3, 28, 40, 42, and 45 in the top 50.

Rangers have been a defense-first team with an excellent Parsons. Can Rangers score in bunches? Yes, and from different lines and players BUT if the defensive game is not there, they're toast.

Tonight, they must get the first goal, be first on the puck, commit to their defensive system, and capitalize on their scoring chances (too many wide shots, cute plays, and missed opportunities). Like they did to Flint (which was a much more physical team), they have shut down Spits top players AND stay the hell away from taking stupid penalties.

I know.....perfect storm....but if they have any chance of showing up in this series, they have to play the near perfect game. Possible? That's totally up to the Rangers. LET'S GO.

Windsor's top players outscored the Rangers at least double. Rangers are not a high scoring squad. They seem to score by committee. Really haven't had anyone in any position step up in this series yet.

 

[rangersblues]

Windsor's top players outscored the Rangers at least double. Rangers are not a high scoring squad. They seem to score by committee. Really haven't had anyone in any position step up in this series yet.

We really need to get our top line away from their top line. Unfortunately with Misel and Ellinas out I don't think any of our other lines could control Windsor's top line. Hopefully with Ellinas back tonight that helps.

 

[digicamo]

We really need to get our top line away from their top line. Unfortunately with Misel and Ellinas out I don't think any of our other lines could control Windsor's top line. Hopefully with Ellinas back tonight that helps.

Ellinas back should be huge. He is far and away our best 200-foot forward, but I'm not sure it will be enough without MIssile anchoring the second-line scoring. We are outgunned and need Parsons to stand on his head to give us a chance, and that just hasn't been the case thus far in this series.

 

[Buttsy]

Good Luck tonite folks Windsor has not been a total surprise as clearly they are talented group but Games 1 & 2 were somewhat surprising.
One other thing that continues to surprise me a bit is when a Coach before a series provides ammunition for an opponent. Jussi (although 100% correct) complaining that they didn’t have home ice imo was a mistake. For years and years Peter Forsberg and his dad would do the same thing to Team Canada. Always amazed me a bit?

 

[digicamo]

Good Luck tonite folks Windsor has not been a total surprise as clearly they are talented group but Games 1 & 2 were somewhat surprising.
One other thing that continues to surprise me a bit is when a Coach before a series provides ammunition for an opponent. Jussi (although 100% correct) complaining that they didn’t have home ice imo was a mistake. For years and years Peter Forsberg and his dad would do the same thing to Team Canada. Always amazed me a bit?

I was also against him complaining, but his comments made sense. Why do we technically finish 3rd and not get home-ice advantage for finishing second overall, but draft second last because we finished second overall?

I get rewarding the division champion, but it doesn't make sense that it isn't reflected everywhere.

 

[robertmac43]

I just want them to start on time tonight...

No more terrible first periods.

 

[Fastpace]

We really need to get our top line away from their top line. Unfortunately with Misel and Ellinas out I don't think any of our other lines could control Windsor's top line. Hopefully with Ellinas back tonight that helps.

The real playoffs hockey is not who has the best offense, it is who can best frustrate and play the discipline team-game against its opponents. By keeping a low scoring game you are improving your chance, just the one goal better is needed to win, and this is playoffs hockey.

 

[Jantung]

Let's get the win tonight guys. The one positive I saw from the first two games is the Rangers aren't afraid to throw the body. When Flint was running Reid every shift eventually injuring him among others with no league intervention I was nervous we might roll over in round 2. One game at a time and let's take this back to Windsor tied.

 

[GeoBlue]

1 game for Hlacar.

 

[EvenSteven]

1 game for Hlacar.

That tells me that the hit wasn’t that bad. Because if it was, they’d have thrown the book at him as a repeat offender.

But let’s give him one game to support the on ice officials who reviewed it and felt 5 and a game was warranted.

 

[Knownothing]

That tells me that the hit wasn’t that bad. Because if it was, they’d have thrown the book at him as a repeat offender.

But let’s give him one game to support the on ice officials who reviewed it and felt 5 and a game was warranted.

It was bad from my angle in the rink. Also think Swick got away with one on Christoforo. Clearly an elbow to the head that scrambled his head briefly. Hopefully no lasting symptoms for he and Davis after both continued in the game.

 

[Knownothing]

Windsor not as successful on the road so think we see a different game tonight

 

[bobber]

It was bad from my angle in the rink. Also think Swick got away with one on Christoforo. Clearly an elbow to the head that scrambled his head briefly. Hopefully no lasting symptoms for he and Davis after both continued in the game.

Swick is one of those tall players that gets caught with high hits. All teams likely have had a couple over the years.

 

[All the Answers]

Wish Windsor had played Flint first... they'd think Kitchener's "physicality" was tame in comparison. Or London last year.