By: Jack Wallace

 The Westborough Rangers’ varsity ice hockey team has gone through a rough patch recently, only winning two games and one of them was by forfeit. They are 2-6 on the season with their only real win against Agawam.This year the Rangers have dipped into the eighth grade class in order to fill the varsity team roster. The upperclassmen will have to push this young team if they want to turn this season around and make the playoffs for the first time in three years.

   Senior captains Trevor Mcnamara and Jonathan Ashton have been on the varsity team since their freshman year, which was the last time the hockey team made the playoffs. However, their experience and hard work has the Rangers striving for another playoff push. “ We have a lot of potential and a lot of promise,” says Mcnamara.

Jon Rodenbush, junior, is the lead scorer for the team and has received high praise from his fellow teammates. His leadership along with the two senior captains has given this team hope.

   The Rangers recent troubles have been a result of turnovers that lead to odd man rushes as well as not being able to get the puck out of their zone. “We struggle with the little things. If we are able to reduce turnovers and get the puck out of our zone, we will be able to create more offensive opportunities as well as take the pressure off our defense and our goalie Jonathan Ashton. Mcnamara comments that the team was very young and had growing pains, but he and fellow captain Jonathan Ashton believe that they are getting better every day and will become a more competitive team at this point in the season.

   The Rangers will hope to begin a win streak starting with Nashoba Regional High School this Wednesday at 6pm at Northstar Rink. The last time the Rangers played the Chieftains they lost by two goals. Hopefully they will get their revenge this Wednesday.