It was a good weekend for the Kitchener Rangers. Despite giving up a game, most of the Rangers’ star players are expected to lead the team back to the roster after attending the NHL training camp.
To add excitement, several players made their debut in the season ahead of Friday night’s victory against Erie Otters, with Rangers named Cameron Reid as the 60th captain in team history.
Related: Kitchener Rangers’ 3 gains lost 5-2 to Owen Sound attack
After defeating the Otters, they faced Irving’s voice attack on the road, one of the few other unbeaten teams in the OHL. After struggling to maintain discipline, the Rangers gave up their first game of the season and had a record of 3-1-0-0 two weeks later, fourth in the OHL’s recent strong rankings.
Even though they slipped down several attractions in the rankings and struggled a bit this weekend, the Wanderer still enjoyed the performance. Who stands out?
Third Star: Cameron Reid
Reid was a wild weekend. After skating with the Nashville Predators Thursday night, he found himself returning to Kitchener. The Predator took him to his early flight on Friday, landed in time, was appointed captain and participated in his first game with the team.
Reid was filled with ice on Friday. He set up opportunities in the offensive zone and defended to suppress scoring opportunities. He ended his first game with two assists in a 5-2 victory, which was highlighted by Jack Pridham’s pass that created a beautiful effort.
Reid did not make the scoring table on Saturday’s offense. However, early in the game, he showed off his leadership by responding to a massive open hockey game against one of his teammates. He also scored three shots.
While this could be a big tweak for Reid and other Rangers returning from NHL camps, Reid started dominating this season and only got better when he found his pace.
Second Star: Jack Pridham
Midway through last week, the Chicago Blackhawks announced Jack Pridham would be sent back to the OHL. Pridham joined the Parter last season and made an immediate impact, scoring 27 goals in 48 games for a total of 54 points. After rejoining the Rangers last weekend, he picked up where he left, scoring goals in every game he opened the season.
Pridham ended the beautiful dedication and performance he and Reid formed in a powerful match against the Otters as it became the game-winning goal. The next night, he led 2-1 with Jacob XU shots off his hometown.
The 2024 third round NHL draft pick created scoring opportunities on the ice, with nine goals in two games, five of which were considered dangerous. As more time re-recognizes, Pridham and his boundaries will continue to come up with impressive numbers.
First Star: Haeden Ellis
Rangers lacked many stars in their first game of the season. But Haeden Ellis, along with Cameron Arquette and Matheas Stark, strengthened the offense throughout the weekend.
Ellis scored goals and two assists in the Rangers’ first two wins and joined the game over the past weekend, scoring both against Otters and Offense. He also got assists for Rangers’ insurance targets and scored a 4-2 lead with the Otters in less than five minutes.
Ellis broke the puck in half of the game on Friday night, a chance to run, where Arquette walked through a beautiful seam to find a wide Ellis who he had no doubt. The goal opened the floodgates and the Rangers continued to score four goals in the third stage.
Ellis then opened the Rangers’ score on the attack the next night. This is his third consecutive game to score the team’s first goal, and his fourth consecutive game to score a little in the first goal of the game. This time, he scored from position, hit an offensive defender and tricked the goalkeeper.
Last season, Ellis scored nine points in 36 games. He has scored 6 points in four games this season. If he can maintain this level of play, he could be on the NHL draft committee at the end of the campaign after passing last season.
Honours of Wanderers
The Wanderer’s goalkeeper was great this weekend. Christian Kirsch looked good on Friday on his way to his first victory with the team. Then, on Saturday, despite giving up five goals from the offense, I think Jason Schaubel is great. Rangers hang him, without him scattering over the crease a few times, the attack could have scored nearly double digits in that game.
Tanner Lam also kept it hot this weekend, scoring two goals against the Otters. This marks four goals in four games, but he has more to give. Stark and Arquette also entered the statistics this weekend, starting their favorite streak from last weekend. Jakub Chromiak scored at a pace per game from the Blue Line with three assists in four games, while Christian Humphreys won the three assistant game when he returned to the Rangers.
The main problem will be going to the same page and improving as the seasons go. Their main struggle last weekend was when they rolled over or got into penalty kick trouble. Rangers have been practicing for a week before Friday’s attack, so they should look cleaner and more prepared this weekend.
