The North York Rangers have beaten division rivals the Oakville Blades by a score of 2-1 at Sixteen Mile Sports Complex.
The Blades would score first before the opening period was halfway over. Teth Burles would make it 1-0 after finding an opening in front of the Rangers net and deking past two North York players, sliding it in the net to give the home team the advantage. The goal brought down hundreds of stuffed animals from the crowd as a part of Oakville’s Teddy Bear Toss game at Sixteen Mile Sports Complex.
The Rangers wouldn’t head to the second period down a goal. In fact, Ross Krieger would do great work of standing in front of the net and exposing a flaw in Oakville’s defence, turning Peter Muzyka’s feed into the tying goal at 18:44.
The two teams also play tight battles every time they meet up, dating back to an intense playoff series a year ago. With star players missing from both teams thanks to the World Junior A Challenge, the two squads had to adjust their playing styles to make the most of it. The Rangers were very dangerous offensively in the first, while the two teams played a more defensive style in the second half.
The Rangers would grab their second goal of the game with 2:58 left in the third, securing the victory on the road. Krieger would do what he does best by sniping the puck past Chris Elliot, taking the pass from Noah Robinson in front before wiring it past Elliot’s glove for the 2-1 game-winning goal.
North York will host the Toronto Patriots on Sunday in another big divisional rivalry contest. Puck drop is set for 3:00 PM at the Herb, hope to see you there!
Photo from Steven Ellis/North York Rangers
