A lot of questions this weekend needed to be answered for FHC Hockey. The biggest question was how would the team bounce back after a hard fought loss to Lowell/Cal. Despite all adversity, the team regained all of the players that it was missing due to Covid-19 and contract tracing. The Rangers played in 3 games versus big opponents with a two game series versus Muskegon Mona Shores and Big Rapids.

The first game would be an early morning testament as the Mona Shores Sailors’ Trent Benedict earned a very early hat trick in the first. Benedict’s teammate Ty Langlois would assist on all three of his goals while Jake Nanna would assist on two and Issac Habetler would assist on one.

In the second, the Rangers came out swinging for Mona’s head after an early unassisted goal by Jake Nanna would give the Sailors a 4-0 lead. The Rangers would get their momentum from a Josh Smith powerplay goal assisted by Jacob Campbell and Lucas Jefferys. After Josh’s goal, senior Collin Ward would take the puck down the ice for an unassisted goal making the game 4-2 in favor of the Sailors.

Unfortunately after the two goal run, the Sailors would go on to score three more goals, one from Nanna and two from Langlois, which led to the final score being 7-2 Sailors.

Game two for the Rangers would be a late afternoon affair with Big Rapids on there turf. Sophomore Sammy Mielock brought major fire power onto the ice early as the first two goals would be from his shot after getting passes from Xavier Ott twice, Lucas Jefferys once, and Collin Ward once. After a 2-0 Rangers lead, Big Rapids’ Owen Bomay would find the net making it a one point game until Josh Smith would score his second goal of the season making it 3-1.

The second period would see both offenses slow down until Lucas put on in the net after getting the puck from Josh whom received it from Collin.

In the third, the Rangers would put the game away and score two more goals. The first goal came from Josh Smith on even strength and the second would be Sammy’s third goal of the night, giving the Rangers there first player with a hat trick on the season. The Rangers would get there first win of the season with the conclusion of this game being 6-2.

The last game of the weekend would be slated on Valentine’s Day as Mona Shores traveled to Patterson Ice Rink to take on the Rangers.

This game would be all Jake Nanna, as he went on to score 4 of Mona Shores 6 goals and assist on the other two. Mona would only score one in the first but the momentum quickly changed as some very questionable penalties were called while others were not. The Rangers’ junior Tyler Weaver would also leave this game with an apparent leg njury after a blatant no call hit occurred coming from a Mona Shores player. On the other hand, freshman Ryan Sutherlund would score the only goal for the Rangers after a Sammy Mielock pass.

The final score of the game would finish at 6-1 in favor of the Sailors

The Rangers are now 1-3 on the season and fall to 4th in there conference after tying up with Lowell/Cal because of points. The week ahead for the Rangers sees them traveling to both Byron Center Tuesday and Hartland Thursday. The Rangers will also face conference rival East Grand Rapids this Saturday at home to finish off the week.