The South Grenville Rangers travelled to the Robert Guertin Arena in Gatineau on Sun., March 8, to take on the Hull-Volant for game two of the best-of-seven NCJHL semifinal. The Rangers’ forward, Dylan Sharpley (11) celebrates after scoring the game’s opening goal with teammates, Brayden Forestell and Jacob Servage. The Volant goaltender, Marc Oliver Bastien had little chance on this goal but his team battled back to make a game of it after falling behind 3-1 after the first period. The Rangers took the game 6-4 and a 2-0 series lead. Moore photo

GATINEAU—The South Grenville Rangers played a pair of playoff games this past weekend as they opened up the NCJHL semifinal as they welcomed the Gatineau Hull-Volant for game one on Saturday night and travelled to Gatineau on Sunday afternoon.

Rangers 6 Volant 4

The South Grenville Rangers travelled to the Robert Guertin Arena in Gatineau on Sun., March 8, to take on the Hull-Volant for game two of the best-of-seven NCJHL semifinal. The Rangers drew first blood in the series with a 4-1 victory. 

The Rangers opened the scoring when Dylan Sharpley slapped one to the back of the net from Jared Fenlong at 5:19 of the first period taking a 1-0 lead. The Rangers made it 2-0 when Matthew O’Brien ripped one to the top of the net from Jordan Dodge at 7:48. 

The Rangers took a three-goal lead when Brayden Forestell slammed one home from Cooper Kingston and Dylan Sharpley with just nine seconds remaining in the opening frame. The Rangers took a 3-0 lead into the first intermission. 

The Volant got on the score sheet at 4:57 of the second period cutting the deficit to two. The Rangers answered at 7:58 when Owen Webster sniped one from Dodge. The Rangers took a 4-1 lead into the second intermission. 

The Volant cut the deficit in half at 5:27 of the third period. The Volant moved to within one at 14:10 but the Rangers answered just four seconds later as Dodge pounded one home from Sharpley to make it 5-3. 

The Volant got back to within one at 17:08. With just over a minute remaining in regulation, the Volant pulled their goalie in favour of an extra attacker but it was the Rangers who took advantage as Sharpley found the abandoned cage at the far end. 

The Rangers took the game 6-4 and a two-games-to-none lead in the series. Picking up the win in the Rangers’ goal was Sam Limoges-Ring.

Rangers 4 Volant 1

The South Grenville Rangers welcomed the Gatineau Hull-Volant to the Ingredion Centre in Cardinal on Sat., March 7, for game on of the best of seven NCJHL semifinal. The Rangers made it to the final after sweeping the Metcalfe Jets four straight in the quarterfinal and the Volant upset the number two seeded, Vankleek Hill Cougars in six games. 

The Volant opened the scoring at 3:55 of the first period on the power play but the Rangers answered with 1:39 remaining in the opening frame as Hunter Shipclark fired one home from Jordan Dodge. The teams took a one-all draw into the first intermission. 

The Rangers took their first lead of the game when Dodge plowed one to the back of the net from Brody Ranger at 5:11 of the second period. The Rangers took a slim 2-1 lead into the second intermission. 

The Rangers took a two-goal advantage when Aidan Bailey rifled one home from Dodge and Ranger at 3:36 of the third period. The Rangers made it 4-1 when Cooper Kennedy slapped one to the back of the net from Jacob Servage and Dylan Sharpley on the power play with 2:17 remaining in regulation. 

The Rangers hung on for a 4-1 victory and a one game to none series lead. Picking up the win in the Rangers’ goal was Sam Limoges-Ring.

Up next

The South Grenville Rangers travel to the Robert Guertin Arena in Gatineau on Fri., March 13, for game three of the best-of-seven NCJHL semifinal at 7:30 p.m. welcome the Volant to the Ingredion Centre in Cardinal on Sat., March 14 at 7 p.m. and welcome the Volant back on Sun., March 15 at 4:30 p.m.