A three-game winning streak has lifted the Parkland Rangers back into fifth place in the Manitoba AAA U18 Hockey League.
The week began with a 6-4 win over the Yellowhead Chiefs, Dec. 10, in Shoal Lake.
Liam Chartrand scored twice and added two assists to lead the Rangers.
Forrest Karlson had a goal and two assists, while Carter Moncrief, Quentin Fisk and Alex Campbell had the other goals.
Piet Mierau made 34 saves in goal to pick up the win.
Grady McNish with two, Chase Cochrane and Alec Strachan replied for Yellowhead. Connor Rapley made 43 saves in the loss.
On Friday, with only 15 skaters dressed, the Rangers scored a 4-2 win over the Pembina Valley Hawks.
Ryzlie Nepinak, Fisk, Karlson and Landyn Garton provided the offence in support of Mierau, who was outstanding in goal, making 42 saves, while also assisting on Karlson’s winning goal.
Tegan Fehr and Cole Secord had the Pembina Valley goals, while Karsen Dyck made 20 saves.
In Saturday’s rematch in Morden, the line of Fisk, Campbell and Dayson Martin combined for 11 points in a 6-4 Rangers victory.
Campbell led the way with two goals and two assists, while Martin contributed a goal and three helpers and Fisk had two goals and one assist.
Garton had the other goal for Parkland and Mierau was again outstanding, finishing with 50 saves.
Tyson Pethybridge with two, Cohen Pilkington and Carter Unger scored for the Hawks. Ryler Gates had 20 saves in taking the loss.
The winning streak comes on the heels of a four-game losing skid.
Rangers head coach Tom White said the three wins were the result of a total team buy-in.
“We’re getting more and more committed to our defensive zone and neutral ice zone structure. And guys are starting to figure it out and things are starting to go our way,” he added.
The Hawks are among the teams fighting for position for the final four playoff spots, so the Rangers knew they had to win both games.
“We knew they were right on our tail and we needed both wins. And the guys came up solid. They played very well,” White said.
The current winning streak with such a short bench will give the team some confidence heading into the break, though they have one final contest, hosting the Central Plains Capitals, Sunday at 1:30 p.m.
“It just gives them the confidence that they can play the game with anybody, really. If we stick to our structure and everybody buys in, we’ll be fine. And some guys are just starting to figure it out,” White said.
