Horns down for the first round of the MHSAA Regional Tournament as our Rangers of FHC defeated the Rams from Rockford. Even though their win streak was taken down last week, the Rangers kept their cool and earned their ticket to the second round of playoffs on Monday. The season has turned around very nicely for the team after they embarked on their revenge tour that lead to eight straight wins and a winning record.

“We are crushing it right now and we are really thriving as a team at the right time,” Eli Lipke noted, referring to the team’s recent dominance.

The game was a rematch between the two teams with FHC having the upper hand and having a solid 1-0 over the Rams this season. With that being said, the win was no piece of cake for the Rangers, having a very challenging second period.

“I thought the team came out and played well, but we were shaky in the 2nd period. Then we gutted the win out in the third,” Coach McSween reflected.

Although the period didn’t go their way, the Rangers still dominated the other two, Peter Nemmers locking down the net, leading to their 4-2 win.

“We came together as a team yesterday. It was a battle the whole game but we kept on pushing,” Henry Vonk explained. “I am proud of how far we have come as a team and I can’t wait for our next game on Monday.”

The players are clearly feeling the excitement as they are continuously winning these important games, and with that excitement comes confidence, confidence that is sure to help them keep working through the playoffs.

Confidence goes a long way, but so does leadership, and according to coach McSween, the team is very prosperous in the form of leaders.

“I thought our seniors did a great job leading us. The goal was to get the W and we accomplished that goal. Now we are onto the next one against TC West.”

This upcoming game is set for 6 p.m., at Patterson Ice Center, on Monday the twenty-seventh.