Despite being less than halfway through the month of November, the North York Rangers have gotten through four of their first 10 games of the month.
The Rangers opened up the month at home against the St. Michaels Buzzers, but unfortunately their rough stretch continued as they fell 4-0. Extending their goalless drought to three games.
Since then their “puck luck” has taken a turn for the better. Scoring four times in an 8-4 loss against the Toronto Jr Canadians. Vasili Economopoulos and Luca Spano would both score their first career goals in the loss, with Spano scoring on the powerplay.
Next up a road matchup against the Stouffville Spirit. The previous two meetings this season were both two goal losses and it looked like it was going to be another close matchup with the Spirit leading 3-2 after 20 minutes. From there it all fell apart with the Spirit scoring five straight to win 8-2. Peter Smith (7) and Jacob Owsicki (6) would score the Ranger goals.
Then the Rangers returned home for a matchup against the Toronto Patriots closing out a stretch of four games in eight days.
A slow start found the Rangers trailing 3-0 less than 10 minutes into the opening period. From there the floodgates opened.
North York closed out the 1st period scoring four unanswered goals with Connor Irwin, Niko Ekonomopoulos, and Anthony Di Trani all scoring for the first time with the Rangers. Alexey Kulikov (4) would give the Rangers a 4-3 lead with just over 20 seconds to go in the first period.
Somehow a scoreless second period (you’ll understand the surprise shortly) and the Rangers had an opportunity to earn their first home win and end an 18 game winless stretch.
Four minutes into the third period the Patriots would tie the score up at 4, before three straight goals from the home side. Jacob Owsicki (6) scored the teams second shorthanded goal of the season followed by Peter Smith (7) scoring his second goal in as many games. Alexey Kulikov (5) would score an empty netter with 4 minutes left to make it 7-4 North York. The Patriots would add two more of their own before a Matthew Babiy (8) empty net goal with one second remaining would clinch the win for North York.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
Friday November 15th @ Pickering (9-10-1-1 9th in East)
Saturday November 16th @ Georgetown (11-7-2-3 6th in West)
Sunday November 17th vs Oakville (6-7-3-2 10th in West)
TRADE
Last week the Rangers made an agreement with the Pickering Panthers sending Cole Bowditch to the Panthers for Connor Irwin. We wish Cole the best of luck in the future on and off the ice.
FAST FACTS
Connor Irwin has played in 2 games since joining the Rangers scoring 1 goal and adding 1 assist.
Anthony Di Trani has 3 points in 2 games since joining the Rangers.
Niko Economopoulos’ goal Sunday was the first of his OJHL career.
Sundays win marked the Rangers first since September 18th against Markham.
Matthew Babiys 8 goals this season have him tied for 8th amongst all rookies.
Amir Valiulin saves check time. Halfway to last years total starts the Rangers netminder has 788 saves, still by far the most in the league. If he continues at this pace and makes the same 20 starts he’ll finish with 1576 saves, the most by any goalie since Steven Dombrowsky made 1507 in 2013-2014.
