By Jamie Neugebauer
Ted Hunt notched his first point in his first game as a Ranger but it was not enough to prevent North York from falling 3-2 in a shootout to the Toronto Junior Canadiens on Sunday afternoon.
It was the Rangers’ first game since Dec. 15 with two previous games cancelled due to weather.
North York was without Corey Kalk, John Carpino and Liam Kerins while Toronto was missing Jake Walman and Anthony Repaci as those five were representing the Southwest Conference at the Central Canada Cup all-star tournament in Quebec.
Although his team was severely short-handed in terms of offence, North York bench boss John Dean did not let his team off the hook.
“I thought it was a good effort,” he said, “but we don’t make any excuses about missing anyone. I thought we could have won the game, we should have capitzlied on our chances, but I thought the guys worked hard.”
Hunt, claimed off waivers on Dec. 18 from the St. Michael’s Buzzers, sent Kyle Thacker on a breakaway in the second period and Tye Campbell banged in the subsequent rebound at 16:53.
Zach Fung potted a beautiful centering pass from Adam Valadao to send the game into overtime by tying the game at two at 7:21 of the third period.
The point lifts the Rangers back into sole possession of fifth place in the Southwest Conference after 36 games played.
North York is back in action on Saturday night when they travel to Orangeville to take on the Flyers, puck drops at 7 p.m.
