This weekend, the Ranger hockey team closed out the regular season with a game against Bay Reps. This game meant a lot for the Rangers for two reasons: It was senior night and a chance to continue the win streak.

Bay Reps are a very talented team and the Rangers knew that it wouldn’t be a walk in the park to close out the regular season. “We knew what we were up against and we all had respect for Bay Reps, but at the same time, we knew we had a chance. So we went in there with the mentality that we can win no matter who it is,” said sophomore Eli Lipke.

The game started with a bang after senior Anthony Ott stole the puck in the Bay Reps zone. The puck got to the stick of senior captain Sammy Mielock and he was able to put the Rangers ahead 30 seconds into the game.  The game went back and forth with the score remaining the same until midway through the third. The Rangers let in two goals towards the end of the third and an open net which caused them to ultimately lose 3-1.

As the regular season concludes, the team has looked back at the rollercoaster ride that it was. There were many different moments to look back on, but as a whole, this season is one to remember. “Overall I’m happy with the season, obviously there was some disappointment from how we started, but when we went on that 8-game streak we proved to ourselves and everyone else that we were always a good team,” said freshman Hayden Tanner.

Although the regular season is done, the Rangers are not finished quite yet. Arguably the most important part of the season starts this week: playoffs. The boys are hyped for what is to come in the next few weeks and many of them feel like they can make a real push to the final four. “I feel very confident going into playoffs, even with a new division one feel that we have, the skill and systems to really go far this year,” said junior Peter Nemmers. With the Rangers’ current form, it is going to be hard to stop them from making a run for some hardware.

The Rangers will start the playoffs against Rockford on Friday, February 24, at Patterson Ice Center at 6:30.