Rangers Home Opener Set

September 25, 2008 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Marquette Rangers News Release


Marquette - After playing four games in four days last week at the North American Hockey League Showcase in Blaine, Minnesota; the Marquette Rangers open the home portion of their schedule this Friday at Lakeview Arena taking on Traverse City at 8:00PM.

For Marquette head coach Kenny Miller, it will be his first chance to take advantage of the home crowd at a Rangers game. The first year Rangers coach spent the last three seasons at the helm of the Alpena IceDiggers; also of the NAHL North Division.

"I can remember coming in here two years ago during the Fall Classic and coaching against the Rangers in their opener that year," Miller said. "The place was packed and really rockin' and I thought to myself how much fun it would be to coach here; so I'm excited to get out on the ice and see what we can do against T.C."

Miller cautioned Rangers fans not to read too much into the teams' 1-3 showing at the Showcase, as he feels people will like what the team can do this season.

"Every year teams will come out of Blaine 3-1 or 4-0 and go into the season real high and then eventually not even make the playoffs, so being 1-3 right now shouldn't be a reflection on this team or what we can do this season. It's a 58 game schedule so we have a long, long way to go before we start worrying about our win/loss record. I like this team a lot, they work hard they never quit and with the veterans we have we're going to be fun to watch as the season goes along."

Three veterans lead the Rangers so far in scoring this season. James Gallagher (4g 1a) Josh Bussell (3g 2a) and Garrett Ladd (0g 5a) each have five points in the first four games while Marquette's Collin Saint-Onge had a four point night (3g 1a) against Owatonna (Minn.) in the Rangers 6-2 win over the Express.

In goal, newcomer Kevin Kissaw is sporting a 1-1 record with a save percentage of .911 and a 2.52 goals against average.

The Rangers game is an 8:00 PM face off instead of the normal 7:30 PM start-time due to the fact that the game is part of the annual Marquette Electricians Fall Classic taking place at both Lakeview Arena and the Berry Events Center.

The game will also be the first of 12 contests between the two clubs for the Smith-Barney Challenge Cup won by the North Stars last season. The Challenge Cup goes to the winner of the season-series between the two teams; and is sponsored by Smith Barney offices in both Traverse City and Marquette.

For ticket information, fans are encouraged to visit the teams' website www.marquetterangers.com or stop into the Rangers offices in Lakeview Arena weekdays from 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM.

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Marquette - Several unique features and events have been added for Marquette Rangers fans for the teams' opener this Friday against Traverse City.

Friday night will be the first of three "Give Me Gas Nights" sponsored by Holiday Station Stores this season. The giveaway features a $50.00 gas card for one lucky fan at the drop of the puck to start the game. Another $50.00 will be added to the card for every goal the Rangers score against Traverse City; up to $300.00 on the evening. Fans will be given a numbered ticket for the contest which will be claimed by the winner at the end of the game.

In addition, the Rangers will feature the Public Service Garage "Keys to Victory" contest in which the team hopes to give away a car valued at $20,000 during the 2008 - 09 season. The Rangers have also teamed with Aaron's Sales and Lease and are offering a 46" plasma-screen television as a prize during the chuck-a-puck contest.

NMU Students with a valid ID will also be eligible for a special prize drawing during the game.

The Rangers will also be hosting the finals of the inaugural Fall Classic Skills Competition at the two intermissions of their game with Traverse City. Each team competing in the Electricians Fall Classic sent players to the preliminary rounds on Thursday to compete in four events: Fastest Skater, Catch and Shoot, Hardest Shot and the Breakaway Competition. The champion in each event will be crowned during the Rangers game Friday night.

Face-off between Marquette and Traverse City is at 8:00 PM Friday night at Lakeview Arena



North American Hockey League Stories from September 25, 2008


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