Veteran Ross Krieger and Tyler Flack scored two goals a piece to hand the North York Rangers their first win of season beating the Mississauga Chargers 4-2 on Sunday (Sept. 16) afternoon at the Herbert H. Carnegie Centre.
In the Rangers first two contests, which both ended in overtime losses, the team went 0-13 on the powerplay. Their fortunes changed pretty quickly on Sunday. Less than six minutes into the game, Flack’s shot was able to squeeze past 16-year-old Matthew Sbrocca for the first team’s first powerplay goal.
The Charges didn’t respond until the second. On their fourth powerplay opportunity just under two minute in, Brandon Yeamans slammed in the rebound on the doorstep to even the score at 1-1. North York regained the advantage only a few minutes later. Once again with the man advantage, Krieger came out from behind the net and caught Sbrocca by surprising going short side for his first marker of the season. The special team was a factor for the fourth time at 13:31. This time Yeamans found Paul Violo parked right in front for the equalizer. The score remained 2-2 after 40 minutes. The score remained 2-2 after 40 minutes.
Krieger’s shot was on full display again just over seven minutes into the third. Ashton Stockie dropped it for Krieger entering the zone and coming off the left side, the 20-year-old riffled top right hand corner at the top of the circle for North York’s third lead. Tyler Flack sealed the deal with four minute left scoring from the slot off a sloppy turnover.
With Jett Alexander playing the night before in Georgetown, the Rangers’ turned to Eli Shiller, who made his first career OJHL start. The 17-year-old was stellar through the first 40 minutes, making 17 saves. Unfortunately The Windsor Spitfires first round pick in the U18 priority draft was taken out of the contest due to an injury. Alexander stopped all 11 shots he faced to pick up the victory.
The Rangers have a week off before they step back on the ice. They host the Toronto Patriots on Sunday, September 23 at the Herbert H. Carnegie Centre. Puck drop is set for 3:00 p.m.
