Sophomore Tim Kramer had made the biggest play for the Varsity Hockey team this year as FHC captured their first win of the season Saturday afternoon against the Reeths-Puffer Rockets at Patterson Ice Center. Tim scored a go ahead goal to stop a shocking comeback by the Rockets, as Reeths-Puffer scored three goals in just a matter of minutes in the middle of the third period.

Tim’s goal not only stopped a huge Reeths-Puffer run, but it switched the momentum to the Ranger’s side and helped the Rangers take home the victory.

“The goal I scored today was more important I feel because it was a really close game and our team really needed that win,” Tim said.

The first period was an excellent period for the Rangers, as they outscored the Rockets 3-0. The first came from none other than senior captain Charlie Brewer on a power play. After 13 missed shots on goal, Charlie’s goal finally slipped in and the Rangers took an early 1-0 lead. The second goal was scored by Junior Brett Koczenasz very shortly after Charlie’s. At that moment, the Rangers had already tied their record for most goals of the season. In just a matter of minutes, Junior Cooper Morton fired in the third goal of the night with time to spare in the first period as the Rangers were looking absolutely unstoppable heading into the second.

Senior captain Charlie Brewer knew this game was a must win.

“Our mindset going into this game was that we needed to win this game,” Charlie said. “We were 0-1 in conference and winning this game would be a big help. Everyone was ready to go and their mind was set on winning.”

The second period was very well played defensively. Junior Goalie Carl Mielock made lots of key saves that could have easily been goals. The Rangers had a three on five situation against them and Reeths-Puffer couldn’t score because of excellent defense from Carl and the other defensemen.

The beginning of the third period started just like the second, as it was being well played defensively. In the middle of the third period, however, the most unexpected string of events occurred. Reeths-Puffer knotted the game up at three in a matter of minutes. After a few minutes of close shots on goal for both teams, Tim Kramer put the Rangers up 4-3 with just five minutes remaining in the game, giving the Rangers a huge and much needed win.

Tim explains what needs to change defensively in order to get another win next week.

“We really need to get more consistent in our own defensive zone,” Tim said. “We can play well defensively, but we have moments where we just break down and they cost us severely.”

This win was huge and it gives the Rangers a lot of momentum heading into the next few weeks, where they will get into many conference games which will be big games. The Rangers will be on the road against a very good Grandville team. If the Rangers can get a win against Grandville, look out for a big streak of wins and a run at the OK White conference championship.

“Grandville is tough,” head coach Kevin Zaschak said. “They are one of the top Division one ranked teams in the state and they are just rolling teams right now. Turnovers will be huge, especially when you are up 3-0 and a team is just thinking offense. We just need to turn the page, not look back, and focus on the positive.”