GLANBROOK — A mid-December hot streak has kept the Glanbrook Rangers in the hunt for first place in the South Bloomfield Division with two key games on the horizon just before the holiday break.
The Rangers, who seemed to be fading fast as the month began after a four-game losing skein at the end of November dropped them as far down as sixth place, have experienced a reversal of fortunes, reeling off three straight victories to stand just four points behind the division-leading Grimsby Peach Kings, two points behind the Port Dover Sailors and just one back of the Dundas Blues. The Rangers will tackle the Sailors on Sunday, Dec. 19 in Port Dover, then close out the 2021 leg of the campaign on Wednesday, Dec. 22 at home against the Blues. Here’s how the Rangers fared in the three outings since their last loss on Dec. 2 (a 3-2 OT decision to Dundas):
DEC. 4
GLANBROOK 2, NIAGARA 0: Tyler Mulholland scored his fourth goal of the season to put Glanbrook ahead 1-0 after two periods, and Ryan Burke followed with his sixth in the final frame to support shutout goaltending by Mitch Robinson, who made 29 saves in recording his third shutout of the campaign. Daniel Vella, returning after an extended injury stint, assisted on both Ranger goals. The Rangers dominated the contest from start to finish, bombarding Riverhawks’ goaltender Cameron Johnston with 55 shots. With the win, Glanbrook evened their season record against Niagara at 2-2.
DEC. 8
GLANBROOK 3, GRIMSBY 2 (OT): Ryan Burke had the hot hand again as he connected at 1:58 of overtime to lift the Rangers to a 3-2 triumph over arch-rival Grimsby at Glanbrook Arena. Burke’s team-leading seventh goal of the season capped off a comeback that saw the Rangers erase a 2-0 deficit. Matt Wright kicked the rally off with his first goal of the season just 34 seconds into the third frame, and Chase Johnson showed a flair for the dramatic by knotting the match at 2-2 with his fourth goal with just 41 seconds remaining, setting the stage for Burke’s winning effort. Mitch Robinson collected his seventh win with a 32-save performance. Defenceman Dallas Nadasdi and forward Cooper Hood each contributed a pair of assists for the Rangers, who boast a 2-1-0-1 record against the division-leading Peach Kings.
DEC. 15
GLANBROOK 2, DUNNVILLE 0: Yet another shutout for a Glanbrook goaltender, this time it was Ethan Cook, making his Rangers debut after stints with Markham and Caledon of the Ontario Junior Hockey League (Jr. A). Cook, a 20-year-old Smithville resident, blocked 25 shots, while the Rangers got goals from Ethan Cloutier (his 3rd) and Sean Golebiowski, who notched his seventh to draw level with Ryan Burke for the team lead. It was also another commanding offensive outing for the Rangers — at least as far as shots on goal were concerned — as they blasted 59 shots at Mudcats’ netminder Owen McDonnell. Defenceman Andrew Miele, 18, also made his first appearance in a Glanbrook uniform. The Burlington native joined the Rangers after playing 18 games for the Welland Jr. Canadians of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League (Jr. B).