The Rangers looked prime for the playoff push on Sunday. The Rangers jumped out to an early three-goal lead. Five second-period goals padded their lead. Two more third period goals helped to seal the Flames’ fate. The Rangers offense was on fire and their defense was stifling. The group of Brennan Quigley (3 assists), Andrew Carlson (assist), Michael Dunderdale, Max Hennessy, Timmy Nolan and Timmy Kane played exceptionally well in keeping the Flames’ forwards at bay. Goalie Owen Cuddyer was strong for the victors. Chris Joyce led the way with four goals and three assists. Shea Flanagan had a goal and four assists. RJ Wetterberg had two goals and an assist and Dara Canavan had a goal and an assist. Michael McKelvey and Connor Morris added loan tallies. Overall, the Rangers collected four points on the weekend and played terrific in all facets of the game. They will head to Waterville Valley in the hopes of following in the 97 Rangers’ footsteps and bringing home the championship.

Rangers defeat Terriers 3-2 in playoff preview
Looking to rebound from a difficult weekend the Rangers traveled to Canton for a Saturday night marquee matchup with the Terriers. A fired up Rangers team jumped out to an early 2-0 first period lead on goals by Shea Flanagan, assist to Michael Mckelvey and McKelvey from Chris Joyce. The Terriers would not go quietly as they potted two goals of their own to finish the first period tied at two. The game would remain tied at two for the majority of the game. Both teams fought hard with momentum swings going in both direction. Dara Canavan broke the tie with 4:51 left in the third. Canavan took a Joyce feed and walked around the Terriers’ goaltender depositing the winner in the upper corner. These two evenly matched clubs finished the season series at 1-1-2. They could end up meeting again in the playoffs.

On Sunday, the Rangers and NECDL skated to a 2-2 tie. The Classics scored first to take a 1-0 first period lead. The Rangers would answer and Ryan Mahoney scored their first goal. Mahoney drove the net and put home a Michael Dunderdale blast from the point for a 1-0. Michael McKelvey scored the Rangers second goal on a breakaway when a Classic’s shot from the point was blocked. McKelvey, Chris Joyce and Connor Morris all raced for the puck on what was essentially a 3-0. The winner of the race, McKelvey would go forehand to backhand and slide the puck past the outstretched pad of the goalie. The Rangers would again find themselves in some penalty touble and the Classics would capitalize. The Rangers would have their chances, but they could not solve the Classics goaltender.

The Rangers traveled to Saugus to play at always interesting Hockey Town. The Rangers scored first on an Aidan Dale rebound of a Connor Morris shot, but the Islanders responded with three more first period goals to establish a 3-1 lead. Owen Cuddyer made several key saves to keep the score at 3-1. The Rangers cut the lead to 3-2 when RJ Wetterberg put home an Aidan Dale pass, but the Islanders would again answer for a 4-2 lead. In the third, the Islanders would add a fifth goal before the Rangers came back when Connor Morris added a third goal on the power play. Overall, the Rangers were plagued by inconsistent play and penalty trouble. 

Three third period tallies just not enough
Sunday the Rangers traveled to Schneider arena in Providence to take on the Capitals. A determined Capitals squad, smarting from a 9-4 beat down by the Rangers, came out flying. The Capitals jumped out to a two-goal lead over the listless Rangers. In the second the Rangers came on strong and knotted the score at two on a low wrister from Cole McKenzie and a rebound goal from Chris Joyce. Brennan Quigley assisted on both goals. The Capitals answered the bell and responded with two goals of their own, just 26 seconds apart. They would add a third with under six minutes to give the Caps a 5-2 lead heading into the third period. The Rangers came roaring back with three third period goals by Shea Flanagan, Drew Hickey and Joyce to make it close. But in the end, with the goalie pulled and the Rangers buzzing, the Capitals were able to hold onto the 6-5 victory.

The Boston Little Rangers defeated the Bridgewater Bandits 7-1 Saturday at the Bavis arena. A four goal first period helped to set the pace as the Rangers moved the puck with ease against the Bandits. The Rangers power play was a bright spot for the team. RJ Wetterberg, Connor Morris, Michael McKelvey and Cole McKenzie on the power play all scored in the first period. Wetterberg would add his second in the third and Dara Canavan and Brennan Quigley would put the finishing touches on a nice effort by the Rangers.

The Providence Capitals, owner’s of the EHF’s best record, traveled north to take on the Boston Little Rangers Saturday. Only three points separated these two teams, but the Caps have had the Rangers number this year. Saturday began in much the same manner as the previous three matchups with the Rangers controlling the tempo and outshooting the Capitals heavily only to see the game tied at one after one. The Rangers first goal came off the stick of Michael McKelvey, at 5:46, (three goals & three assists) with assists going to Dara Canavan (three assists) and Chris Joyce (two goals & two assists). But the Capitals struck back just 51 seconds later to tie the game. The second period is where the game changed. McKelvey struck again on a forehand to backhand move to give the Rangers a 2-1 lead. The assists went to Canavan and Michael Dunderdale. RJ Wetterberg extended the lead at 7:56 and Joyce knocked home a McKelvey rebound just under a minute later to make the score 4-1 in favor of the Rangers. Connor Morris (two goals & assist) added a nifty deke goal with 49 seconds remaining to make the score 5-2. The final goal of the period came with .05 seconds remaining in the second when Joyce won a faceoff back to Timma Nolan who fired a shot on net where McKelvey was waiting to put home the rebound and complete the hat trick. With a 6-2 lead the Rangers kept the pressure on. Third period goals by Cole McKenzie, Morris and Joyce helped to seal the deal. Morris’ second came on a two on one as the result of perfect back door feed from McKenzie.Aidan Dale had two assists on the day and the line of Shea Flanagan, Drew Hickey and Ryan Mahoney continues to play well. The Rangers victory was a total team win. These two will do battle again on Sunday with in Providence.

Rangers gain ground on Caps & Terriers, take three out of four points on the weekend

What a difference a day makes. Less than 24 hours after doing battle the Rangers and Breakers took to the ice again at the Bavis Arena. The Breakers, determined to turn in a better performance than their last two meetings with the Rangers, came out flying. At 18:59 of the first the Breakers score on their second break away of the early going The Rangers responded on a beautiful backdoor feed from Max Hennessy to Micahel McKelvey. The Rangers took the lead in the second when RJ Wetterberg one timed a spectacular Drew Hickey feed past the Breakers’ netminder. Ryan Mahoney also assisted on the play. The Rangers got themselves into penalty trouble for much of the rest of the game and the penalty killers were called into action. With a 3-2 Breaker lead and under a minute to play Owen Cuddyer came to the bench for an extra attacker. The Rangers were buzzing when the Breakers iced the puck. With less than 30 seconds to play and the Rangers net vacated Chris Joyce won a huge draw. The puck was thrown to the front of the net and the Breakers’ goalie turned away several chances before Dara Canavan potted the equalizer off an RJ Wetterberg shot with just twelve seconds to play. The Rangers escaped from the jaws of defeat and took home three out of four possible points on the weekend. The tie was definite show of character from a Rangers team that refuses to quit. Owen Cuddyer again turned in a strong performance and the game puck went to the penalty kill unit, which thwarted six of seven Breaker man advantages. The Rangers now have their eyes on the first-place Providence Capitals as they look to gain even more ground on the team that has had their number up to this point in the season. Tickets are still available for Saturday’s 2:00 PM matchup at the Bavis Arena between these two juggernauts.

Rangers Offense Scores Seven in 7-3 Victory Over Rival Breakers

Saturday saw a dormant Rangers offense come alive in a big way against their cross-town rivals the Baystate Breakers. The Rangers struck first when Dara Canavan (2 goals) put home a Chris Joyce(goal & assist) feed at 10:51 of the first. Just thirteen seconds later Michael McKelvey (2 goals, 1 assist) scored the first of his two breakaway goals to give the Rangers a two-goal lead. Michael Dunderdale (two assists) assisted on the goal. The Breakers finished the period strong scoring the next two goals to end the period tied at two. Michael McKelvey made sure the game would not remain tied for long when he skated in and deeked the goalie for his second breakaway goal. Less than two minutes later RJ Wetterberg scored on a scorching wrister from the top of the right circle. Dara Canavan added his second goal of the game from Michael McKelvey to make the game 5-2. The Breakers would add a third goal to make things interesting, but empty netters from Chris Joyce off a nice “Bingo” pass and Ryan Mahoney from Timma Nolan sealed the deal. Overall the Rangers played a terrific team game. Their passing was accurate, scoring was timely and goaltending was again superb. The defense was another bright spot with Timmy Kane leading the charge.

The Boston Little Rangers continued to be confounded at the Porazzo Rink in East Boston. Perhaps it is something in the water, but the Rangers have difficulty putting the puck in the net at the Porazzo Rink. The Rangers roared to an early one goal lead in the first period in much the same fashion as they did the last time these two teams faced off at the Eagles home. The Rangers controlled the play for most of the first period, as the puck rarely left the Eagles zone. The one goal came off the stick of Michael McKelvey who deposited a Chris Joyce feed. Dara Canavan also assisted on the goal. The Rangers added a second goal when Drew Hickey undressed an Eagles D man with a toe drag move at the blue line before finding Ryan Mahoney in the high slot. Mahoney walked in, went backhand to forehand and roofed the puck on the Eagles goaltender. With a two-goal lead the Rangers seemed content, but the Eagles did not give up. They stormed back to cut the lead to one in the second and then tie the game in the third. The Rangers had their chances in the final stanza, but again the game would end a 2-2 tie.

The Boston Little Rangers continued to be confounded at the Porazzo Rink in East Boston. Perhaps it is something in the water, but the Rangers have difficulty putting the puck in the net at the Porazzo Rink. The Rangers roared to an early one goal lead in the first period in much the same fashion as they did the last time these two teams faced off at the Eagles home. The Rangers controlled the play for most of the first period, as the puck rarely left the Eagles zone. The one goal came off the stick of Michael McKelvey who deposited a Chris Joyce feed. Dara Canavan also assisted on the goal. The Rangers added a second goal when Drew Hickey undressed an Eagles D man with a toe drag move at the blue line before finding Ryan Mahoney in the high slot. Mahoney walked in, went backhand to forehand and roofed the puck on the Eagles goaltender. With a two-goal lead the Rangers seemed content, but the Eagles did not give up. They stormed back to cut the lead to one in the second and then tie the game in the third. The Rangers had their chances in the final stanza, but again the game would end a 2-2 tie.

The Rangers and Middlesex Islanders skated to a 3-3 tie on Sunday. For the second consecutive day the Rangers played to a draw. This time the Rangers played on the Islanders’ Olympic size home ice at Belmont Hill. The Islanders used their knowledge of the rink’s dimensions to their decisive advantage. The rangers spotted the Islanders a first period one-goal lead at 11:15, but came back to tie the game at 5:05 of the first on a goal McKenzie wrister into the top corner. The assist went to Timmy Nolan. The Islanders took the lead at 12:08 of the second, but again the Rangers tied the game on McKenzie’s second of the game from Max Hennessey. RJ – Stamkos – Wetterberg scored put home his third of the weekend at 1:44 of the third off of a Dara Canavan shot; however, a determined Islanders squad answered just 22 seconds later to tie the game. The Rangers had their chances, including several blocked shots and a pair of posts, but the game would end in a tie. The Rangers head to Marlborough over the holiday break to participate in the highly competitive North American Winter Championships. They will face the Providence Capitals, Connecticut Wolfpack and River Rats in the opening rounds.

The Rangers took to the ice on Saturday for a matchup with the visiting first place Providence Capitals. The Rangers carried the play in the first period jumping out to a quick 3-1 lead. Chris Joyce got the Rangers on the board first with a goal off of a Michael Dunderdale shot. RJ Wetterberg continued his torrid goal scoring by netting the next two tallies. The Capitals cut the lead to two at 1:23 of the first period. The Capitals roared back with two goals in the second to tie the game at three. The third period was evenly matched with both teams carrying the play at times. The Rangers took the lead at 12:31 on a power move by Drew Hickey as he took the puck off the half wall and drove the net before finishing with a backhander into the top corner. The assist went to Andrew Carlson. Overall Saturday’s game was arguably the Rangers best demonstration of team defense with several key stops in front of the Rangers net. These two teams will undoubtedly continue their battle for the top spot in the league. They will face each other in their second matchup in the Marlborough North American Winter Championships and then again at the Mark Bavis Arena on January 22nd. Tickets are still on sale for this game.

The Boston Little Rangers travelled to Marlborough on Saturday night for matchup with the Minutemen Flames. The Flames were less than warm as they handed the Rangers a 2-1 defeat. The game was an exciting up and down contest with the Rangers running into a hot goaltender and a little bit of bad luck. Rangers’ goalie Owen Cuddyer was terrific as he battled save for save with the Flames netminder, whom the Rangers’ offense was unable to solve for more than just the single tally. The Rangers rang a few posts and had several point blank chances, but it was not to be their night. The Rangers got the scoring started at 13:20 of the first period as Michael McKelvey found Dara Canavan on the rush. Canavan wristed it past the Flames goalie for a 1-0 lead. The vast majority of the first period was played in the Flames zone as the Rangers kept the pressure on. The Flames answered with a strong second period and eventually evened the score at 6:53 of the second and would add the game winner at 14:27 of the third. The Rangers had their chances with several blasts from the blueline, shots from the halfwall and the slot, but were unable to capitalize on any second-chance opportunities. The line of Cole McKenzie, Connor Morris and Aidan Dale played well and had several strong shifts. Max Hennessey, Michael Dunderdale, RJ Wetterberg, Andrew Carlson and Brennan Quigley were strong on defensively and also jumped into the play to generate offense. The Rangers look to get back in the win column when they host the Capitals Saturday at 2:00 at the mark Bavis Arena.

The first place Boston Junior Rangers and the third place Boston Junior Terriers played to a 2-2 tie Sunday at the Mark Bavis Arena. These two heavyweights stood toe-to-toe and took each other’s best shots. The game was an exciting, up-tempo, physical contest with terrific goaltending and defense on both sides. The Rangers came out flying and took the lead late in the first on an RJ Wetterberg top-shelf wrist shot. The assists went to Ryan Mahoney and Drew Hickey. The Rangers added to their lead at 14:31 of the second. Cole McKenzie displayed his shake-n-bake as he dangled two Terrier defenders behind their net and then found Connor Morris in front. Morris pulled a ridiculous toe-drag move around a defender before going bar down to extend the lead to 2-0. But the Terriers would not give up. At 13.18 of the second they cut the lead to one. A pair of tremendous back checks by Drew Hickey and Dara Canavan kept the score at 2-1 heading into the third. The third period was a seesaw battle with both sides having their chances. The Terriers would strike again at 12:22 of the final stanza to tie the game and that is how the game would end, knotted at two. The Rangers look to get back in the win column Saturday as they travel to play the always tough Minutemen Flames.

The Boston Little Rangers rolled to their fourth consecutive victory (and their fifth win in their last five contests) Saturday at the Mark Bavis Arena. The Rangers left little doubt as to who the better team was on Saturday with a dominant team victory. The Rangers’ 6-2 defeat of the Middlesex Islanders vaulted them past the Boston Junior Eagles into sole possession of first place in the Pee Wee Minor division. The Rangers continued with the theme of solid team defense. Owen Cuddyer was again strong in net allowing just two goals. The Islanders goals came late in the third after their fate had already been decided. The Rangers’ GAA over the past four games stands at just a paltry 2.25. The Rangers’ goals were scored by Chris Joyce, Dara Canavan, Timmy Nolan, Cole McKenzie as well as a by Aidan Dale who continued his hot hand with a pair of biscuits in the basket. The Rangers, looking to avenge their most lopsided loss in two years, take on the Boston Junior Terriers at 11:40 at the Bavis arena on Sunday.

Eagles’ hold on first place considered by experts to be endangered…

The preeminent EHF matchup of the week featured the first-place Boston Junior Eagles and the second-place Boston Little Rangers. The Rangers, riding a three-game unbeaten streak, that earned them the right to dress in the “Upstairs Locker Room” did not disappoint. A tenacious Ranger attack pinned the Eagles in their own end for most of the first period. Hoping to stave off a repeat of their previous 2-2 tie,in which the Rangers kept the Eagles hemmed in their zone for most of the first without scoring, the Rangers knew they had to score first. Cue RJ Wetterberg. Wetterberg took a feed from Shea Flanagan and let fly a wrist shot into the upper left corner to give the Rangers a 1-0 lead at 12:36 of the first. Driven by a desire to prove to the league that they are the still the top team, the Rangers kept the pressure on and Chris Joyce scored off the faceoff at 11:28 to give the Rangers a 2-0 advantage. Staked to a two-goal lead the Rangers continued to keep the pressure on, but the first-place Eagles would not go quietly. At 7:20 of the second they cut the lead to 2-1. The Rangers continued to carry most of the play into the third. The defense was active led by Max Hennessey, Michael Dunderdale and Timmy Nolan who joined or led the rush several times. Michael McKelvey made a heads up play by flipping his rebound on goal from behind the net only to see it bounce in the net for a 3-0 lead. Captain-of-the-game Aidan Dale would put home a Connor Morris feed in front to give the Rangers some breathing room. With a three-goal lead late in the third period the Eagles comeback hopes were dashed and their hold on first place… tenuous.

Wizards, officials' magic can’t hold back Rangers

Saturday November 20 felt more like Friday the 13th for the Boston Little Rangers. In a game that featured just about everything short of a dragon, the Rangers were able to draw with a talented, and hard working East Coast Wizards squad. What made the tie that much more impressive was the obvious officiating slant in favor of the home team. Many of the fourteen Ranger penalties conjured up by the officials were truly works of fantasy. Trailing 1-0 Chris Joyce got the Rangers on board. Joyce took a Connor Morris feed and streaked in on a two-on-one with Michael McKelvey. McKelvey drove the net and Joyce let a twisted wrister fly. The Wizards retook the lead just eleven seconds later. The period also featured a penalty shot which goalie Owen Cuddyer negated by flashing his right pad. Cuddyer was terrific in net for the Rangers making several tremendous saves off of first and second chance opportunities. Heading into the third with a score of 2-1 , and a penalty margin of 8-1, the Rangers spirits were never on the wane.

At 11:27 of the third, with a rare man-advantage, Michael Dunderdale walked the puck to the middle and rifled a shot on net where Dara Canavan and Michael McKelvey were waiting expectantly. Canavan scored off the flurry to draw the Rangers even. Three minutes later McKelvey blew past a Wizzards’ defenseman and had the poise to continue around the net before wrapping in the Rangers’ third goal. The Wizards would not give up. They scored the next two goals to take a 4-3 lead, but the Rangers, and captain-of-the-game Chris Allan, were not leaving the Edge without at least a point. The ensuing Rangers’ goal was as pretty as it gets at any level. McKelvey again came bombing down the right wing on a two-on-one with Joyce when in one movement he stopped, spun and fired a pass across the slot where Joyce was waiting to one-time the pass into the lower right corner. The crowed erupted and the game was again tied. The two teams would battle for the final three minutes, but alas the game would end tied at four, destined to go down in medieval lore as a moral victory for the Rangers.

Saturday the Rangers travelled to Marlborough for an early morning game against the Flames. Facing a determined Flames team, who were looking to avenge an earlier 8-3 loss at the hands of the Rangers, and an unsympathetic officiating crew… the Rangers shook off their first period road legs and brought home their second win in a row and seventh of the season.

Trailing by a score of 1-0 Dara Canavan evened the score at one, assists going to Michael McKelvey and Chris Joyce. The Flames would retake the lead with only three seconds left in the first. The Flames would add to their lead with a minute remaining in the second, but Canavan would strike again with just 27 seconds left to cut the lead to one (the assists going to Brennan Quigley and Timmy Nolan). For the second straight game a strong third period would be the difference for the Rangers. Michale Dunderdale made a nice individual rush up the ice before finding Cole McKenzie in the high slot. McKenzie one timed the Dunderdale feed past the Flames netminder to even the score. At 2:46 RJ Wetterberg put home a Shea Flanagan rebound to seal the game (assist to Drew Hickey). The victory capped off a four-point weekend for the Rangers who showed grit and character with their strong third-period performances.

On Friday the Rangers travelled down the road for a match-up with their cross town rival the Baystate Breakers. The Rangers were looking to rebound from a last-minute defeat at the hands of the Capitals and the Breakers proved to be just what the doctor ordered. A defiant and determined Rangers team overcame a talented Breakers squad and some poor officiating en route to an 8-3 victory. Dara Canavan and Connor Morris led the way with two goals apiece and Shea Flanagan, Timmy Kane, Michael McKelvey and Drew Hickey all tallied as well.

The Rangers jumped out to a 1-0 lead on a Canavan goal at 8:44 of the first with the assists going to Max Hennessey(two assists) and Michael McKelvey(goal & assist), but the Breakers roared back and tied the game with just six seconds remaining in the first. The Rangers came out flying in the second. Drew Hickey scored on a top shelf backhander from in tight and Connor Morris (two goals & an assist) scored from in tight a minute later from Chris Joyce and RJ Wetterberg. The Breakers would cut the lead to one for the last time at 5:38. Timmy Kane found the back of the net, assists going to Connor Morris (two goals & assist) and RJ Wetterberg (two assists), to give the Rangers a two-goal lead heading into the third. A four goal third period put the game out of reach. Connor Morris capped off a strong game by sliding his second one in to make it 5-2, the assist went to Ryan Mahoney (two assists), and Shea Flanagan added an unassited goal less than a minute later. Dara Canavan scored his second on a nice individual rush and a beautifully placed wrister into the top corner. Michael McKelvey added an empty netter for the eighth and final Rangers goal. The defense had several key stops at their blue line and goalie Owen Cuddyer was again strong in net for the Rangers.

The Boston Little Rangers lost a heartbreaker to the Captials on Saturday in Rhode Island. After spotting the Capitals a two-goal advantage in the first with goals less than a minute apart, the Rangers stormed, back to take the lead. Chris Joyce (goal and assist) cut the Caps goal at 13:50 of the second with the assists going to Michael McKelvey and Dara Canavan. Two minutes later, RJ Wetterberg notched the tying goal from Joyce and Brennan Quigley (goal & two assists). Later in the second Aidan Dale would give the Rangers the lead. Taking advantage of a sloppy Capitals line change and Dale and Cole McKenzie attacked the net on a two on none. Dale fooled the goaltender by looking at McKenzie and faking the pass and then deeking right before lifting it over the sprawling tender for a 3-2 lead. Brennan Quigley added a helper. Quigley was at it again in the third as he took a Ryan Mahoney pass in his own end and rushed the puck end-to-end where he rifled a top shelf beauty past the bewildered Capitals goalie. With a two-goal lead, the most difficult lead to hold in hockey, the Rangers kept the pressure on the Capitals for most of the third period. But with 3:37 left the Caps cut the lead to one. They would tie it at 1:13 and take the lead just eight seconds later. The Caps comeback left the Rangers stunned, but determined to never have a letdown of this magnitude again. The Rangers will have a busy week of practice and street hockey before taking on their cross-town rivals the Breakers Friday night at the Rockland rink. On Saturday they will make the early morning trek to Marlborough to take on the Flames who are looking for revenge after an 8-3 shellacking at the hands of the Rangers.

On Saturday, the Rangers and Bridgewater Bandits skated to a three-three tie. The Rangers jumped out to an early first period 2-1 lead off goals by Dara Canavan (goal and assist) and Michael McKelvey (goal and assist). Both of the Rangers’ goals were assisted by Chris Joyce. In the second period, the Rangers would add what looked to be an insurance goal as Shea Flanagan tipped in a Michael McKelvey shot for a 3-1 lead. But a resilient Bandits team was not finished, as they cut the lead to 3-2 before pulling their goalie and scoring the tying goal with under a minute remaining.

In a statement game, the Boston Little Rangers defeated the Minutemen Flames Sunday 8-3, behind a hat trick from Aidan Dale and stellar goaltending from Owen Cuddyer. The first period was an up and down battle with each team controlling play at times. Trailing 1-0, with 3:41 remaining in the first Aidan Dale put home his first goal of the game off a Connor Morris blast. Michael Mckelvey scored off a Brennan Quigley(two assists) feed with 35 seconds remaining to give the Rangers a 2-1 lead heading into the second period. The Rangers would not look back as they scored five second period goals. Aidan Dale tipped in a Cole McKenzie shot for his second goal and a 3-1 lead. Dale completed his hat trick, on a three on one rush, by rifling a perfectly placed Brennan Quigley perfectly pass into the top corner. Quigley joined the rush several times as he channeled his inner Bobby Orr. Chris Joyce gave the Rangers 5-1 lead as he carried the puck over the blue line and fired a low writer past the Flames netminder. Timmy Kane was next to score off a blast from the point and Dara Canavan put the finishing touches on the Rangers second-period outburst by depositing a McKelvey pass into the back of the net. With a score of 7-2 heading into the third period the Rangers tightened up the defense, led by the literal hot hand of goalie Owen Cuddyer. Cuddyer made several miraculous saves, including a handful of glove saves that took the wind out of the Flames comeback attempt. Michael McKelvey added his second goal of the game as he toasted a Flames defender wide, cut in on the goalie and slid the puck past his outstretched pad. The Flames would add a third goal, but the Rangers defensive unit of Michael Dunderdale, Max Hennessey, Timmy Kane, Brennan Quigley and Chris Allen continued to play smart in the defensive zone. In a game that was riddled with bad calls, the Rangers were able to keep focused and play perhaps their best game of the year. The Rangers look to continue their strong play on Saturday as they travel to Providence to take on a resurgent Providence Captials team.

The Rangers got back in the win column Saturday in a big way with a 6-0 trouncing of NECDL. After a scoreless first period, the Rangers erupted for four second period goals. The game was remained scoreless halfway through the period until Chris Joyce got the Rangers on the board. Joyce’s line had a dominant shift, which culminated in a Joyce backhander into the lower right corner (assists going to Max Hennessey and Michael Dunderdale). 31 seconds later Aidan Dale bought time behind the Classics’ net before finding co captain-of-the-game Cole McKenzie in the slot, who wasted no time wristing it past the netminder. Staked to a 2-0 lead, the Rangers were not finished. At 4:11 Michael McKelvey took a Connor Morris pass, rushed the puck through the neutral zone, around the defense and then deked backhand to forehand around the goalie for a 3-0 lead. Cole McKenzie added his second of the game from Andrew Carlson to cap off the second period onslaught. RJ Wetterberg fired a rocket from the left wing to give the Rangers a 5-0 lead and Ryan Mahoney finished the scoring with a rebound goal off a Shea Flanagan shot. The Rangers played a strong all-around game. Fellow captain-of-the-game Drew Hickey had several big hits and was huge on faceoffs, Cole McKenzie and Aidan Dale anchored a tenacious penalty kill unit, which killed off five penalties. The defense, led by Andrew Carlson and Michael Dunderdale, played strong on the blue lines and was active in the neutral and offensive zone. Owen Cuddyer had several key saves, including an acrobatic glove save on a point-blank wrister to record his first shutout of the season. The Rangers look to continue their winning ways Saturday against the Bridgewater Bandits at the Bavis Arena.

The Rangers were handed their first loss of the season by the Terriers Sunday at the Canton Sportsplex by a score of 7-3. The Rangers got on the board first with a goal by RJ Wetterberg. The Terreirs would answer at 7:45 and then again at 3:27 of the first. The Rangers roared back with a shorthanded breakaway goal by Chris Joyce to tie the score, but the Terriers would finish the first period scoring with a goal at :31 to give them a 3-2 lead entering the second period. The Terriers added two goals a minute apart before Max Hennessey cut the lead to two with a rebound goal off of a Michael McKelvey shot. The Terriers finished the scoring with two goals in the third to put the game out of reach. Timmy Nolan and Brennan Quigley also had strong games as did captain-for-the-game Michael Dunderdale moving the puck from the back end. The Rangers look to get back in the win column Saturday with a 2:00 PM tilt against NECDL at Bavis.

The Jr. Rangers escaped the talons of the Jr. Eagles on Saturday with a 2-2 tie at Porazzo Memorial rink in East Boston. The Rangers came out flying in the first, with the majority of the game played in the Eagles end. The relentless pressure paid off when RJ Wetterberg used his body to shield off two Eagles defenders behind the net, before finding Chris Joyce in front. Joyce, who had a pair of defenders draped on him, still managed to slide the puck past the Eagles goaltender for a 1-0 lead. The first period ended with a score of 1-0. Early in the second Joyce would again factor into the scoring as he carried the puck down the half wall and along the goal line where he slid the puck into the slot, where Cole McKenzie was waiting for a one-time blast past the Eagles netminder. Staked to a two-goal lead, the Rangers went flat. For the remainder of the period the Eagles carried the play. The Eagles would find the back of the net twice. With two unanswered goals, the second period ended in a 2-2 tie. The third period was up and down with both teams having their fare share of scoring chances. Both Owen Cuddyer and the Eagles’ goalie were strong and defensive units were also solid as the game ended in a tie.

The Boston Little Rangers and the Boston Jr. Terriers skated to an exciting 3-3 tie Saturday at the Bavis arena. The game was a fast paced up and down contest with the teams trading goals during the game. The first period was scoreless with both teams having their fare share of chances. At 11:41 of the second Chris Joyce put the Rangers on the board with a shorthanded tally. Joyce blocked a shot from the point and raced in on a breakaway finishing his rush with a wrist shot into the lower corner. The Terriers answered at 7:15 of the second. Under a minute later, Brennan Quigley started the rush and carried the puck through the neutral zone to the top of the left circle before wristing a shot on net, where Dara Canavan was there to deposit the rebound, giving the Rangers a 2-1 lead. At 13:44 of the third the Rangers struck again when Joyce made a nice individual effort beating a pair of Terriers before sliding a nifty back door pass across the crease to RJ Wetterberg who added his second goal of the season. The Terriers tied the game with 3:12 remaining. The Rangers had several strong scoring chances in the final minutes, including an Aidan Dale bid as he walked around a Terrier’s defenseman and took the puck hard to the net, a Connor Morris point blank cannon and a Drew Hickey bid with under two minutes remaining, but the Terriers’ goaltender was able to keep the Rangers offense at bay. The Rangers’ defensive unit had another strong game and Owen Cuddyer was once again solid between the pipes.

The Boston Little Rangers continued their winning ways on Saturday with a 5-2 road victory over the NECDL Classics. The Rangers erupted for three first period goals. Aidan Dale, who was serving as one of the team’s captains-of-the-game, converted on a wrap-around. The Classic’s goalie stopped the initial shot, but Dale stayed with his own shot and lifted the rebound over the goalie’s outstretched pad. Under a minute later, Chris Joyce (two goals) continued his torrid goal scoring pace, by banging home a Dara Canavan drive to extend the Ranger’s lead. Joyce would strike again at 1:35 of the first as he walked off the half-wall and rifled a short-side wrist shot into the top corner. The Rangers kept the pressure on the Classics during the second period, including a pair of shots that rang the post, but were unable to find the back of the net. The Classics came back in the third with a pair of rebound goals three minutes apart to close the gap to 3-2. But the Ranger’s responded and their unrelenting forecheck was too much for the Classics. RJ Wetterberg (goal & assist) capped off a strong game with a low laser past the right pad of NECDL’s goalie. At 5:51 of the third, Wetterberg, who was set up behind the net, found Drew Hickey in the slot for a well- placed tally. The defense again played well and key defensive plays by Michael Dunderdale, Timmy Nolan and Andrew Carlson helped to keep the Classics pinned in their zone for the remainder of the game. Fellow captain-of-the-game, Owen Cuddyer ended the Classics comeback bid with a glove save that would make Martin Brodeur jealous. The Rangers will put their unblemished record on the line Saturday as they take on the Jr. Terriers at Bavis Arena.

The Rangers posted another impressive win on Saturday at the Mark Bavis Arena with a 6-2 victory over the Middlesex Islanders. The Rangers jumped out to an early lead with goals from Michael McKelvey (goal & two assists), Connor Morris and Dara Canavan (two goals).

Chris Joyce (goal and two assists) would add a second period goal to increase the lead, but the Islanders battled back to make it 4-2 after two. The Rangers came on strong in the third period, as Cole McKenzie would score on a rocket wrist shot to increase the lead. The assist went to Aidan Dale. Dara Canvan added his second goal of the game as he finished off a nice individual effort by scoring an Ovechkin-like goal from his back. The Rangers defensive unit had another strong game anchored by captains-of-the-game Max Hennessey and Timmy Kane. Goaltender Owen Cuddyer had another solid game in net for the Rangers, who moved to 2-0 on the young season.

Coming off an impressive championship season, the Boston Little Rangers passed a difficult first test of the season with a 4-2 win over an improved Bandits team Sunday at the Bridgewater Ice Arena. The game was hard fought from the beginning to the end with 15 total penalties between the two teams. The Rangers came out fast and kept the pressure on for much of the game. The defense and goalie Owen Cuddyer were exceptionally strong and helped to solidify the win. Chris Joyce opened the scoring with the first of his two goals at 11:13 of the first period. Joyce put the finishing touches on a tic-tac-toe passing play, firing a Dara Canavan (goal & assist) feed past the Bandits goalie. The second assist went to Timmy Nolan. The Bandits pressured in the second period and tied the game at 9:36. Joyce struck again with 2:46 left in the second to regain the lead. Andrew Carlson (1 assist) kept the puck in the zone and Canavan fired the puck on goal where Joyce, who was battling in front with three Bandits, dug out the puck and put the rebound in. Again the Bandits battled back and tied the game. Dara Canavan put the Rangers on top for good sliding a rebound past the goalie at 7:56 of the third. The defense tightened up and a tenacious forecheck held the Bandits offense in check for the remainder of the third period. The forward line of RJ Wetterberg, Drew Hickey and Chris Allan had a key shift with two minutes remaining as they hemmed the Bandits in their zone. With seven seconds remaining, the line of Joyce, Canavan and Michael McKelvey struck again as McKelvey put in an empty netter to seal the Bandits fate.