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Rangers Win OT Thriller Over Cougars To Kick Off 2017

By Contributor, 01/07/17, 10:00PM EST

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#3 State Ranked Forest Hills Central had their 2nd rival game in a row taking on State Runner Up and Perennial Power Grand Rapids Catholic Central in front of a packed crowd at Patterson Ice Arena. FHC defeated CC earlier in the year 4-1 and were waiting for a highly motivated Cougar opponent. Both goalies Carl Mielock and Grant Hoogenraad were up to the task and stood tall for their team making big saves early in the game until Nicko Withey scored with just over 1-minute to play in the 1st period with assists going to Zak Currie and Nick Sarjeant. CC would come out flying in the 2nd period tying the score with Teo Vecchio scoring off the face off beating Carl Mielock short side and moving the momentum back to CC. The tide would turn back and forth throughout the next two periods with both goalies making key saves. FHC had the first opportunity mid way through the 3rd period but could not capitalize on a 5 on 3 power play. CC would return the favor moments later after killing off the FHC power play with a 5 on 3 of their own but also were stopped by great special teams sending the game into overtime. Shots after 3 periods favored FHC 30-22. Overtime is not an uncommon occurrence between these two teams as last year they battled to a 2-2 tie in a conference game after no one scored during the 8-minute OT. This year looked as if their would be a repeat until Nick Sarjeant fired a slap shot from the blue line and Zak Currie back handed the rebound past CC net minder Grand Hoogeraad with 40 seconds left on the clock sending the Rangers crowd and team into a frenzy with a 2-1 Ranger victory. The win improves the Rangers to 10-1-1 on the season. Ranger Netminder Carl Mielock picked up the victory making 24 saves.