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Rangers Weekly

By Cam Brochu - BJR Staff, 11/06/18, 10:00AM EST

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EHL and EHLP Teams Turn Focus Toward November Showcase

TEWKSBURY, MA -- The Boston Jr. Rangers organization got back to work this past week with both teams in action. The EHL team dropped both of their matchups, but despite the losses, they still sit in 2nd place in the North Division of the New England Conference. Through 18 games, the Rangers own a record of 10-7-1 and are just 5 points behind the 1st-place New Hampshire Avalanche.

The EHLP squad on the other hand, went 1-0-1 this past weekend and continues to hold down the top spot in their conference with a record of 13-2-2.

EHL

On Saturday, the EHL squad traveled to Laconia to face-off against the New England Wolves for the 2nd of 4 matchups against their divisional opponent. After a scoreless 1st period, the Wolves got on the board with a goal near the halfway point of the 2nd frame. It was quickly answered by the Rangers' leading goal scorer Andrew Keith just a few minutes later, to knot up the game at 1 apiece. However, the Wolves responded with 3 unanswered goals from there, and held the Rangers scoreless for the rest of the game. Aiden Curry stopped 24 shots in the 4-1 loss.

The boys returned to action the very next day for a matchup against the Avalanche at the Ice Den Arena. Sunday’s game marked the 3rd of 6 matchups between the 2 teams during the regular season, as both the squads split the previous 2 games. After a scoreless 1st period, the Avalanche came out strong in the 2nd, scoring 3 separate times to take a 3-0 lead. A late tally from Erik Nilsson wasn't enough, as the Rangers ultiamtely once again by the final score of 4-1. Despite the loss, Billy Girard was stellar between the pipes, stopping 40 out of the 44 shots that were sent his way.

EHLP

On Saturday, the EHLP team headed up to Laconia to face-off against the New England Wolves. Jake Mecrones got the Rangers on the board 1st with a goal just over 3 minutes into the contest. Levi Hensely would then put the Rangers up 2-0 with a goal near the end of the frame. However, the Wolves would respond with 4 unanswered goals in the 2nd period and took a 4-2 lead going into the final frame.

In that final frame, Hensley answered back on the power-play just 53 seconds into the 3rd to cut the deficit in half. The Rangers would then rally with 3 more unanswered goals of their own as Justin Sorabella, Saunders Penn and Luke Marsh all found the back of the net in the 3rd period to give the boys a 6-4 lead. Despite a late Wolves power-play goal, the Rangers held on for the 6-5 win. Bobby McCloskey stopped 23 shots in the winning effort.

The squad completed the home-and-home series on Sunday as they welcomed the Wolves to town. The game did not start the way the Rangers would have hoped for as they found themselves in a 2-0 hole after the 1st period. Matt Orlando got the Rangers on the board around 5 minutes into the 2nd frame to cut the deficit in half. The Wolves then answered back with a pair of goals, but the pattern continued as Dennis Engelson made it a 4-2 game near the end of the frame.

The Wolves extended their lead out to 3 goals just 27 seconds into the 3rd period and the game looked out of reach. However, the Rangers rallied for 3 answered goals from Jake Mecrones and Tanner Caldarola (2), all in a 9-minute span to knot up the game at 5-5. Unfortunately, the Wolves capitalized on a power-play chance in the overtime period and it was the division rival that took the extra point in this contest.

Looking Ahead

The EHL team will gear up for a busy week with home games on both Wednesday (Warriors) and Saturday (Golden Bears), before heading to Haverhill for the 2nd EHL Showcase of the season.

The EHLP team also has a busy slate ahead of them, as they will square-off with the Vermont Lumberjacks this upcoming Saturday, and then follow suit with their own showcase on Sunday and Monday.