The Parkland U18 Rangers finished with just 13 wins last year and missed the playoffs by 12 points.
A new coaching staff was brought in with the team's veterans now having a year of U18 AAA experience under their belt and paired with a solid group of rookies, the 2024-25 U18 Rangers couldn't have asked for a better weekend to start their season.
Opening last weekend on the road, the Rangers scored five times in the third period as they coasted to a 7-2 win against Central Plains.
"We challenged our guys in the dressing room after the second to come out firing in the third and they responded," said Josh Tripp, head coach. "It was an impressive way to start the season and I was very pleased with how it turned out."
The Rangers went to Morden the following morning to go up against the Pembina Valley Hawks.
Piet Mierau put on a show as he made 43 saves to propel Parkland to their second straight win as they downed the Hawks, 4-2.
"The effort was great, our guys continued to battle each minute," offered Tripp.
The game was put to bed with more than five minutes left in the third as Forrest Karlson scored his first as a U18 Ranger.
Mierau, who transferred to the Parkland, has been practicing with the Kings daily. Parkland's four goals against were the fewest in the league while their 11 for were the fifth-most.
"He played well and made some huge stops for us, he's an amazing puck mover which makes him like a third defenseman which is beneficial," continued Tripp. "He made saves at key moments, especially down the stretch against Pembina Valley when it was tight. He has been awesome so far."
Saturday's win over Central Plains was one for the memory books for Tripp. As a first-year AAA coach, the victory was Josh's first.
"It felt really good, I have to give pretty much all of the credit to the guys," offered Tripp. "They really bought into what we were saying and asking of them. They did a great job and played extremely well, huge credit to them."
The Rangers will look to keep rolling to begin the season when they play two games at Credit Union Place this weekend. The Eastman Selects (2-1) are coming to town for games on Saturday evening at 7:30 and Sunday afternoon at 1:30.
The Selects have beaten Interlake and Central Plains this year while coming up short against the Winnipeg Wild.
"Playing at home is always fun in front of all your family and friends," ended Tripp. "Eastman is always one of the top teams in the league so our guys are going to have to step up, which I expect them to. It should be two very good games this weekend."
You can hear Saturday's game here on 730CKDM with Darnell Duff and Jeff Henson, opening with the pregame show at 7:20.
