By Jamie Neugebauer
Ted Hunt and Corey Kalk led the way with a goal and an assist each and Liam Kerins one-timed home the winner at 9:26 of the second period as the North York Rangers outlasted the Stouffville Spirit 4-2 on Thursday.
Gianluca Baggetta made 39 saves on the night for his 12th victory of the campaign as the Rangers snapped a two-game losing skid.
Daryl Thompson opened the scoring for the Spirit 2:34 into the game but Kalk’s snap shot beat Stouffville goaltender Daniel Mannella far post at 12:58.
Tye Campbell deflected in a Corey Helliwell point shot at the 3:33 mark of the second period, but Nick Thomakos jammed in his club’s second five minutes later.
Hunt’s second as a Ranger followed Kerins’ fourth game winner of the season at 14:42 of the third.
North York’s penalty kill was perfect on five opposition power plays, reaching a league-best mark of 88.2%.
With the win, the Rangers opened a four-point lead over the Milton IceHawks for third place in the Southwest Conference with eight games remaining in the regular season.
North York is next in action Sunday afternoon when it hosts the Hamilton Red Wings, puck drops at 3 p.m.
