Rangers Off To Wisconsin

October 28, 2009 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Marquette Rangers News Release


Marquette - After a disappointing sweep at the hands of Traverse City last weekend, the Marquette Rangers Junior hockey team will try and rebound this Friday and Saturday as they travel to take on the Janesville Jets in North American Hockey League North Division play.

The Rangers (10 - 4, 20 pts.) lead the Jets by six points in the division race; this weekend will mark the first ever games between the two franchises.

"They're a new team, but not your typical expansion team," Rangers head coach Kenny Miller remarked. "They've done a nice job as an organization of finding both quality newcomers as well as some veteran guys from other teams in our league and others; they're very well coached so it will defiantly be a challenge for our club."

Miller also added that the two losses to Traverse City, although not good, may have been a wake-up call for his team as they head to Wisconsin.

"We got off to a good start this year, and sometimes that can work against you." He said. "We were challenged and didn't respond the way we think we're capable of; and our guys know this. Sometimes you need to be reminded that winning in our league isn't easy; we got a full dose of that against T.C. last weekend. We've had a good week of practice, which shows me a lot about how our guys are responding so we're hopeful we'll pick things up and move forward."

NAHL expansion franchises generally don't fair too well in their first season, but Janesville is off to a solid start as the Jets are 7 - 8 after 15 games; and lead both Motor City and Alpena in the NAHL North Division. A familiar face will greet the Rangers too at the Janesville Arena as Michael Thompson, a Ranger defenseman from 2007 - 09 currently patrols the blue line for the Jets.

Janesville split two games with Alpena this past weekend winning 6 - 0 Friday before the IceDiggers turned the tabled with a 2 - 0 win Saturday evening.

Marquette continues to be led in scoring by Garrett Ladd (6g 9a, 15 pts.) and Andrew Kolb (6g 8a, 14 pts.) Brent Bain (13 pts.) and Marquette native Collin Saint-Onge (11 pts.) are the other Rangers players in double-digit scoring on the season.

The weekend's games from Janesville, Wisconsin will be available with streaming video and audio from B2 Networks through the teams' website www.marquetterangers.com.



North American Hockey League Stories from October 28, 2009


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central