Rangers Win Opener

Published on September 16, 2009 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Marquette Rangers News Release


Blaine, Minn. - The Marquette Rangers Tier II Junior "A" hockey team opened the 2009 - 10 North American Hockey League campaign Wednesday afternoon with a 2-0 win over the Texas Tornado at the annual NAHL Showcase in Blaine, Minnesota.

Second year goaltender Kevin Kissaw (Goodrich, MI.) stopped 41 Texas shots to pick up his first win of the season, and his third shutout in a Rangers uniform over the past two seasons.

"It all came down to goaltending," Rangers head coach Kenny Miller said. "Kevin was outstanding and really gave us a chance to win the hockey game. When you come into a season with a guy like Kevin in goal, a guy who has a year in our league under his belt, it really helps our team's confidence in a tight game like we saw tonight."

"It was a typical first game of the season," Miller added. "At times we looked great, at other times we looked a little mixed-up; but it all comes down to winning the game and I'm proud of the way our guys hung together and got it done against a pretty good team."

The Tornado, playing in their first game as an organization since the 2007 - 08 season because of a year of league "dormancy" due to re-construction of their facility in suburban Dallas; outshot Marquette 41 - 18 on the night but had no answer for Kissaw and the Rangers defense.

Marquette opened the scoring at 6:27 of the second period as Andrew Kolb (Toledo, Ohio) scored an even strength goal past former Rangers goaltender Dan Sullivan. Another Toledo native, Brent Bain, added the lone assist on what would turn out to be the eventual game winner.

Sullivan saw 18 Rangers shots in the evening, stopping 16 of them in a losing effort.

"We didn't generate the amount of offense I'd like to see," Miller said. "But for a first game with a lot of new guys who are new to Junior Hockey; I'm happy with the way things ended up for us."

Hancock native Tanner Kero added an unassisted empty-net goal at 19:43 of the third period to salt away the win for Marquette.

Texas was whistled for five penalties in the game, with Marquette going 0-5 on the power play; while the Rangers were called for four penalties on the night.

The Rangers move on the play the Wenatchee (Wash.) Wild at 11:30 this morning at the Schwan Super Rink Complex. Marquette will play Wichita Falls (Texas) Friday at 2:45 PM before wrapping up the NAHL Showcase Saturday at 10:00 AM against the Kenai River (Ala) Brown Bears of the NAHL West Division.

All games from the NAHL Showcase are available with streaming video and audio from B2 Networks via the teams' website www.marquetterangers.com.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



North American Hockey League Stories from September 16, 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