The Parkland U-18 Rangers are in somewhat unfamiliar territory to start the season.
Just months removed from posting a 13-win season and missing the playoffs by 13 points, the Rangers are tied atop the Manitoba U-18 AAA Hockey League with wins in five of their six contests. Parkland has scored 27 goals while giving up 18 with the team's power play being a driving factor at 27.3%. Dauphin has scored six goals on the man advantage across 22 chances. The Rangers are also elite on the penalty kill at 89.2%.
Josh Tripp is the team's head coach and his staff includes Matt Kustra and Tom White.
"I am very pleased, it's been a great start to the season," said Tripp. "The guys have been great, they're putting in the work. Everyone has bought in and it's paying off for us."
The Rangers lost their first game of the season last Saturday when they saw a 3-1 lead evaporate in the third period in a 4-3 defeat against Central Plains. Going up against a very talented Interlake Lightning team the following afternoon, the Rangers responded. Alex Campbell scored his third of the season with just 11 seconds left in regulation to force extra time. Brayden Budolowski was the lone scorer in the shootout as the Rangers boarded their bus with an extra point.
"I was very pleased with the response on Sunday against Interlake," added Tripp. "They came out and worked as hard as they could. I think we deserved to win that game in regulation but we ended up getting it done regardless and that's what matters."
It's time for some home cooking for the Rangers as they play three games this weekend. They play Friday at Credit Union Place before playing at the Swan River Centennial Arena on Saturday night and Sunday afternoon against the Norman Northstars.
Friday night's game will be 'Hockey Fights Cancer' Night at the rink. The team will be decked out in their pink jerseys with pink tape, raising money for cancer wards throughout the Parkland region.
The Southwest Cougars will be Parkland's opposition and they enter with four wins in their first seven games.
Tripp talks about the importance of the game.
"It's an awesome event that we have, it's bigger than the game," commented Tripp. "Cancer affects so many amazing people. I think it's great that we put on this night to talk about it, raise awareness and funds, it's very important."
Quinten Fisk will enter the game as Parkland's leader. The Dauphin star is tied for second in league scoring with 10 points and his seven goals are the second-most. Fisk posted 17 points last year and with a year of experience under his belt, the 16-year-old has taken his game to the next level.
"He has been awesome, he works every shift and is one of those guys that leads by example," ended Tripp. "Even if he doesn't score a goal or get a point, he's hitting guys and making a difference. He is showing the younger guys how to play the right way."
