A pair of 5-2 wins in the past week and a half has the Roberts Creek Rangers in top spot in the men's A-division hockey league.
The Rangers sport a 5-2 record, good for 10 points. The Inlet Raiders are nipping at the Rangers' heels though. The Raiders sit with a record of 3-2-2 and eight points. The Raiders picked up a win, loss and a tie in recent action.The Suncoast Flyers are right in the mix as well. Thanks to a win and a loss last week, the Flyers have a record of 3-2-1 and seven points. Bringing up the rear is the defending league champion Midway Power/Grasshopper Hitmen with a record of 1-6-1 and three points.
The Hitmen managed only a tie in their three most recent games.
The Rangers started their winning ways on Oct. 18 with a three-goal win over the Raiders.
The Rangers had a balanced score sheet as five different players hit pay dirt. Keith Clegg, Rob Hopkins, Justin Lynn, Jason Feschuk and Glenn Allen scored the goals. Jeremy Hamp and Steven Fitchett added a pair of assists.
Jarred Rutley and Bryan Poulsen replied for the Raiders.
Clegg led the way on Oct. 22 as the Rangers beat the Hitmen. Clegg scored twice while Lynn, Hugh Rae and Randy Younghusband added singles. Aaron Hamilton chipped in with two assists.
Trent Turner scored both goals for the Hitmen.
"It's nice to see us playing so well. It's the first time in a while that we've got off to such a good start," said Rangers team rep Peter Leverman. "Our goal-tending has been outstanding and we're getting contributions from everyone on the team. We've had three full lines showing up on a consistent basis. When guys get to play with each other every game, they get to know each other on the ice and just start to click together."
Despite the fast start, Leverman isn't getting overly confident. "All the games have been close. The league has a lot of balance," he said. "I don't think anyone is going to run away from the pack."
The Raiders picked up a 4-4 tie with the Hitmen on Tuesday night.
Graham Benjafield scored twice and added one assist, while Chris Young and Darren Kohuch added singles. Kohuch also added two helpers.
Turner, Adam Mercer, Sam Murray and Steve Stevenson replied for the Hitmen.
The Raiders win last week came against the Flyers - an 8-0 win on Oct. 22.
Rutley and Tom Poulton scored twice and added two assists, Tristan Tuplin scored twice while Young and Kelly Cousins added singles.
Jeff Schwingenschloegl added two assists and Dan Hemstalk was solid in net, earning the shutout.
The final game saw the Flyers edge the Hitmen 4-3 on Oct. 13.
Darryl Baker and Taylor Watters each scored a pair of goals while Dan Fitchell picked up the hat trick for the Hitmen.See the sports ticker on page C4 for complete standings and the schedule for upcoming games.
