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Rangers Return for Three at Home

November 28, 2007 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Marquette Rangers News Release


Marquette - Fresh off a weekend sweep of The U.S. National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor, The Marquette Rangers Junior "A" hockey team returns to Lakeview Arena for a re-match with the USNTDP Friday and Saturday, as well as a Challenge Cup series match-up Thursday evening with Traverse City.

Marquette currently sits alone in third place in the North American Hockey League's North Division with 26 points (13-8) while the USNTDP is in fourth place just two points back. Traverse City is currently in 6th place in the North Division with 22 points.

"It's another big weekend for us" said Rangers head coach Randy Enders. "The fact that it is so close proves what we've been saying is true: our division is going to be tight all year, every game is going to count and we need to be mentally and physically ready to go at all times. We took a big step last weekend in Ann Arbor, now we have to take the next step in developing as a team this weekend and give our fans a good weekend of hockey here at Lakeview."

Thursday's game with Traverse City will be the first opportunity for Rangers' fans to see the Smith Barney Challenge Cup this season. The Challenge Cup is sponsored by Smith Barney offices in both Marquette and Traverse City and is awarded at the end of the year to the team who wins the season series between the two rivals. The North Stars lead the series 2 games to none with a pair of wins at Centre Ice in Traverse City in early October. A total of 12 regular season games between the two teams are scheduled this year.

Marquette's Aaron Pietila (Brighton, MI) has scored goals in three out of the Rangers' last four games, including a four point weekend at Ann Arbor in the sweep of the USNTDP (2g, 2a.) Pietila has now taken the lead in overall scoring for the Rangers with 24 points on the season, Josh Bussell (LaSalle, MI) heads a group of 9 other Rangers scoring in double digits so far this season. Two Rangers Defensemen are currently among the top players in North American Hockey League scoring this year. Derek Grogan (Eagan, MN) is second among blue-liners in goals this season with 7, while Nick Condon (Wausau, WI) is fourth in the league for point production for a defenseman with 19 (1g, 18a.)

Matt Brooker (Richmond, VA) continues his strong play in goal for Marquette, improving to 9-2 on the season with a 2.70 GAA and a save percentage of .922. Brooker currently sits in seventh place among active goaltenders in the North American Hockey League.

Eight of the next nine games for the Rangers will be played on home ice leading up to the NAHL Holiday Break in late December.

"We wanted to be on solid footing by the time this home-stand rolled around" Enders added. "As a coach you're never satisfied with third place; but with the North Division being as tough as it is we're certainly not unhappy about where we are and with the opportunity to hopefully do well during this stretch of home games."

For more on the weekend visit the teams website www.marquetterangers.com

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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.

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