After going 1-2 in a hard-fought weekend, FHC Hockey was set to face off against the Byron Center Bulldogs. Anticipation was high going into the game, as the Rangers were looking to shake off their slow start and begin their big week with a victory over the Bulldogs.

The first period started fast, as both teams came out firing shots at the opposing goaltenders early. Great saves by senior Gavin Brady kept the Rangers in a dog fight early until the Bulldogs finally found the net twice midway through the first. The three-headed dragon line of seniors known as Jacob Campbell, Deacon Lobdell, and Ryan Demeter proved to be efficient once again as this line helped the Rangers find the net, drawing the score to 2-1.

In the second and third periods, penalties began to pile up against the Rangers. The Rangers remained a man down for most of the last two-thirds of the game as the Bulldogs scored on five of their given power-play opportunities. Unfortunately, the Rangers were held scoreless for the last 34 minutes of the game while Byron’s offense kept pushing the lead farther away from the FHC’s grasp. The final score of the game was 9-1 to Byron Center, as they now move on to a 4-0 record.

The Rangers are now 1-4 on the season and hope that this slow start does not automatically equate into a bad finish to the season. Hopes should be high as the Rangers move on to face Hartland tomorrow and EGR Saturday.