The Spirit scored three goals over a nine-minute span in the third period and the Rangers got shut out for the first time this season as Stouffville downed North York 4-0 on Sunday.
Evgueni Makarski and Gianluca Baggetta shared the duties in the Rangers net, stopping 37 shots in the process.
Afterward, North York head coach Mark Joslin was concerned with his club’s lack of a 60-minute effort.
“I think it’s a matter of compete level,” Joslin said.
“We knew Stouffville was a good hockey team coming in and we said that we had to start to get a sense of urgency over the span of 60 minutes. I don’t think we did that today at all, and it showed on the scoreboard.”
Chad Burrows scored twice in the second, sandwiching a screened wrist shot from former Ranger Mike Giacometti, and after 40 minutes the Spirit lead appeared unassailable.
Nathan Hudgin’s power-play re-direct at 9:20 of the third period added salt to the North York wound.
The Rangers have a quick turnaround as they face off against the Hamilton Red Wings on Monday night in Hamilton.
“We told the guys that Hamilton is a team that is dire need of a win too,” Joslin said, “so we expect that in the quick turnaround we’ll need our guys to play a lot harder or we could get embarrassed again.”
Puck drops at Mountain Arena at 7:30 p.m.
