The North York Rangers have started off the 2017-2018 season with a strong 4-1 victory over the Mississauga Chargers at the Herb Carnegie Centennial Centre.
Mississauga, fresh off of a win against reigning Dudley Hewitt champions Trenton, had lots of momentum heading into the contest, but North York simply had the stronger start. With 59 seconds remaining in the opening frame, Matthew Hubbarde got his second career OJHL goal and in just his third ever game (first with North York), jamming it in past Luca Durante and in to give the Rangers the 1-0 lead.
The Rangers didn’t need to wait as long for their second goal, coming at 10:29 in the middle frame. It was a beautfy of a goal for Nick Leshuk, scoring his first goal with the team after taking a pass from Nick Campoli and deking out Durante just in front of the crease to make it 2-0 midway through the battle.
With three minutes complete in the third, Hubbarde was able to grab his second marker of the night. This time, James Fletcher connected with Hubbarde, with the youngster beating Durante’s left pad to make it 3-0 for the home squad.
A tip in front of the net would give the Chargers their first goal of the game. At 10:20 in the second, Shane Donovan would get his first career OJHL goal after his shot went off a Ranger in front and over Jett Alexander, making it 3-1. Fortunately for North York, captain Kyle Clarke would shoot one into an empty netter, capping off a 4-1 win for the Rangers on Sunday afternoon.
North York will be back in action next Saturday when the Rangers travel out to Mississauga for a rematch. North York will return home the following day for a 3:00 PM meeting with Georgetown on Sunday, a battle that we hope nobody misses.
Photo from Steven Ellis/North York Rangers
