On hot streak
Rangers winger Mascherin is scoring in bunches
GUELPH — Adam Mascherin is doing his best to remind Hockey Canada what it’s missing.
The Kitchener Rangers winger was left off the list last week when the national outfit invited 32 hockey players to its selection camp for the upcoming world junior championships. The omission stung. “It’s hockey,” said the Florida Panthers second round draft pick. “There isn’t much I can do. Anyone would be (disappointed) if they have done what I’ve done. You’d think that I’d at least get a shot. It’s nothing I can control.”
But he can dictate his play with the Rangers. And Mascherin is on a tear. The Maple, Ont., native has 10 goals and four assists in his past seven tilts. He extended his goal scoring streak to seven games Sunday afternoon as part of a three-point effort in the team’s 10-3 romp over the Guelph Storm.
It was the highest scoring game by the Blueshirts since the team downed the Erie Otters, 11-4, four years back.
Kitchener delivered its most complete effort Sunday after a recent rash of one goal, comefrom-behind victories.
The contributions came from up and down the lineup.
Cole Carter potted his first career hat trick, Adam Liska collected four points while Jake Henderson blocked shots, bruised bodies and chipped in with a goal and two assists.
Giovanni Vallati, Riley Damiani, Greg Meireles and Jonathan Yantsis also scored while Luke Richardson picked up his second consecutive victory in net.
“The tone was set early and we were able to take over from there,” said Rangers coach Jay McKee, whose club has now won five of its past six games.
“It’s a shot of confidence. We’ve been chasing a lot of games in the recent past.”
Mascherin seems to have hit another level after off-season shoulder surgery limited his summer training.
“I started off slow … but I’m starting to get my touch back and I feel better than last year,” he said. “My shot is coming along nicely. Every game I play I get more comfortable
out there and my playmaking is coming back as well. Things are just clicking right now.”
Players, including teammate Logan Stanley, are leaving for Canada’s world junior camp in St. Catharines on Monday. Mascherin will head to the Aud for a morning skate or enjoy a day off after Sunday’s rout.
“He’s still a kid and I’m sure he wanted to be apart of it,” said McKee. “He has been a pro about it.”
Adding to the snub is the fact that Mascherin has made a concerted
effort to improve his allaround game.
“I think Adam’s playing production has steadily been increasing but his compete level has been as good as I’ve ever seen it,” said the bench boss. “It would have been nice to see him get rewarded for what he has been doing.”
McKee understands the feeling. The former NHL defenceman was cut from his world junior tryout in 1995 but was manning the blue line for the Buffalo Sabres the following season.
Mascherin is focused on his pro career too. But before he moves on, he has another item on his to-do list. “I’m a fourth year guy and my goal was to make it to the world juniors and the Memorial Cup,” he said. “I didn’t make the first one. If I can make one of two I’ll be a happy guy.”
The Rangers host the league leading Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds Friday at 7:30 p.m. before wrapping up the pre-Christmas portion of the schedule Sunday at the Aud against the Kingston Frontenacs at 2 p.m.