The North York Rangers had an impressive week collecting an upset victory over the defending champion Oakville Blades and division rival St.Michael’s Buzzers.
North York vs Oakville
The North York Rangers had their hands completely full when they battle the defending OJHL champion Oakville Blades at home on Wednesday (Nov. 27th) night.
The first marker came in the first minute of the game. Blades forward Luke Croucher throw one towards the net from the corner and the league-leading scorer Harrison Israels tapped it in only 55 seconds in. The visitors doubled up their lead off the stick of Stephen Whittle at 10:57. The Blades had penalty trouble late in the frame down to 5-on-3 and the Rangers took advantage. Off the rush, Cole O’Hara sucked all three Blades in before finding Tyler Flack in the slot and the captain made no mistake with less than 50 seconds left. The score sat at 2-1 after the opening period.
The Ranger struck again with the extra man. O’Hara slithered down the boards and hit Noah Holm back door for the second powerplay goal on the night at 3:03. Less than minutes later, Victor Polowy found Flack behind everyone for a breakaway. The forward initial shot was stopped but battled in his own rebound to hand North York their first lead of the game at 7:48. They maintained that advantage heading into the final frame.
Out of the break it became the Eli Shiller show. The goalie stopped all 17 shots the Blades threw his way to keep the Rangers ahead. Adam Panacci snipped the empty net from own end to seal the upset victory with seven seconds left.
Shiller recorded a grand total of 38 saves for his sixth victory of the season. Another massive reason why the Rangers won was their special teams. They recorded two powerplays goals, but held the Blades top power play scoreless on six opportunities.
North York @ St.Michael’s
The Rangers headed to St.Michael’s on Friday night (Nov. 26) looking to hit a season-high three game winning streak as well as inch closer to the Buzzers for third in the division.
There way no scoring until the second period. Myles Perry snipped his ninth of the season less than two minutes into the frame. The Buzzers responded off the sticks of their leading goal-scorer Ayrton Martino at 11:55. The Rangers regained the advantage, this time it was Cole O’Hara recording his 10th of the season at 17:00. North York had the 2-1 advantage after 40 minutes.
The Rangers top line was at it again in the third to add some insurance. Perry was the recipient of a nice passing play for his second of the game at 15:53. O’Hara followed suite hitting an empty netter for his second on the night at 18:03. North York took the contest 4-1 to record their third straight victory.
For the fourth straight game, goaltender Eli Shiller was spectacular making a career-high 41.
North York vs Whitby
This game was cancelled due to weather conditions. It will be rescheduled for a later date.
