Rangers Rolling

Published on Thursday, 23 December 2021 09:55

The Parkland Rangers enter the Christmas break as one of the hottest teams in the Manitoba U18 AAA Hockey League.

A weekend sweep of the Kenora Thistles gave the Rangers wins in 10 of their last 12 games and improved Parkland’s record to 16-9-2-1 for 35 points, good for fourth place, two points ahead of the Winnipeg Thrashers and Southwest Cougars.

The weekend began with a 9-5 win over Kenora, Saturday.

After a scoreless first period, the Rangers scored seven times in the second period and carried a 7-3 lead into the third frame, where each team scored twice.

Parkland scored five times on the power play.

Will Munro and Kyan Grouette each had two goals and an assist, while Rylan Gibbs and Jayce Legaarden each had a goal and three assists to lead Parkland to the victory.

Bo Eisner had a goal and two assists as five players recorded three or more points in the contest. Carter Zalischuk and Madden Murray had the other goals.

Kyler Swanton made 35 saves to record the win in goal.

Carson Maffey, Branden Boress, Landon Lowes, Noah McPherson and Nickolas Fagnilli replied for the Thistles. Kaden King stopped 33 shots in taking the loss.

On Sunday, Munro had three goals and one assist and Legaarden scored twice and added a pair of helpers to lead Parkland to a 7-3 triumph.

Grouette and Gibbs had the other goals for the Rangers and Swanton picked up the win after making 36 saves.

Fagnilli with two and Boress scored for Kenora. Gunner Paradis started in goal for Kenora and allowed three goals on 17 shots. King stopped 31 of the 35 shots he faced in relief.

Kenora lead 1-0 after the opening 20 minutes, but the Rangers took over in the second period, scoring six times.

The Rangers are now off until Jan. 8, when they begin a five-game homestand against the Eastman Selects.

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