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Rangers Hosting Key Weekend

December 8, 2009 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Marquette Rangers News Release


Marquette - The Marquette Rangers Junior hockey team hosts first place Traverse City this Thursday through Saturday in a key three game series for both North American Hockey League clubs. The North Stars lead the Rangers by three points in the NAHL North Division race, there are six points up for grabs this weekend.

The Rangers (14 - 8, 28pts.) currently sit in third place in the division race two points behind the Janesville Jets; Marquette is only three points ahead of Motor City for fourth place in the division race.

Rangers head coach Kenny Miller says his team is anxious to get on the ice following two off-weeks over the past 20 days.

"We've had a really good week of practice so far," Miller said. "Sometimes as a coach you worry about guys not coming back mentally ready to go; but the fact that we've looked pretty sharp so far shows me we're ready to get back to playing."

Miller added that the break was very well timed for his club, as some players nursing injuries have had time to heal.

"For the first time in a while we'll have our full line-up to choose from. Kevin Kissaw is healthy after his (meniscus) surgery so he'll be ready to go this weekend; and our other guys who were a little banged-up have had enough time to heal so we feel good heading into this stretch of our schedule."

Marquette, coming off a two game split with Motor City two weeks ago, continues to be led in scoring by Garrett Ladd (8g 16a, 24 pts.) and Marquette native Collin Saint-Onge (9g 13a, 22pts.) Four other Rangers are in double digit scoring after 22 games this season.

Kissaw, who last played in Marquette's 4 - 1 loss at Janesville on October 25th, continues to be in the top five statistically among NAHL goaltenders with a goals-against of 2.11 per game and a saves percentage of .941.

"Kevin brings a lot to the table for our club," Miller added. "He's our 'go to guy' and having him back and healthy should help us the rest of the way.

Traverse City (15 -8 - 1, 31 pts.) swept two games from Marquette earlier this season at Centre Ice Arena and holds a four point lead in the teams' annual battle for the Charter Communications Challenge Cup the clubs have played for since the 2007 - 08 season.

Face-off all three nights is at 7:30 PM.

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