RANGERS TAKE GAME 1
Nervous Waterloo native scores in opener for Guelph, but Kitchener proves too much for Storm
KITCHENER — Nate Schnarr had a restless night.
The Waterloo native tossed and turned in his bed Thursday in anticipation of his first Ontario Hockey League playoff game.
“It was tough to sleep,” said the Guelph Storm forward. “I woke up in the middle of the night thinking about the game. If it would have been at 2 a.m., I think I would have had enough energy to play.”
Schnarr — and some of his teammates — sported maroon Mohawks as they arrived at the Aud Friday for Game 1 of their Western Conference quarterfinal best-of-seven series against the Rangers.
The nerves that kept the former Waterloo Wolves player up had subsided by then and the 19-year-old was just eager to get going. “The legs feel good, the mind is right in it,” he said. “I’m looking forward to it.”
It was a packed house for the opener. Rangers Nation was loud and proud as the home side kicked off its post-season journey with five goals in the first.
Schnarr, who got one back in the second, knows that playoff game-night feeling all too well. His parents used to have Rangers season’s tickets and he grew up cheering for the Blueshirts, who eventually won the opening game, 7-2.
“I can picture where I used to sit and all the games I’ve seen here,” said the Arizona Coyotes draft pick. “I have great memories in this building. If I was going to play my first playoff game anywhere (on the road) it would be here.”
There was a solid cheering section for the local on Friday that included mom Michelle, dad Pete and brothers Ben and Zach. They’re all converted Rangers fans. So, too, is uncle John, though he took some convincing.
“It has been tough to persuade him to cheer for the maroon,” said Schnarr, with a laugh.
The Storm selected Schnarr in the third round of the 2015 OHL draft, but he spent most of his rookie campaign with the Jr. B Waterloo Siskins, before joining Guelph full-time last season.
Now, he’s the right winger on the team’s No. 1 line.
And a tough task lies ahead as the seventh-seeded Storm try to upset the second-ranked Rangers. To do it, they’ll need to win at least one game at the Aud.
“It’s an intimidating place,” said Schnarr. “It’s loud and there is a lot of energy. The Rangers are going to lean on that. We’re young players, so we’re going to have to learn from this experience and how to handle the crowd.”
Schnarr was nervous the first time he stepped on the East Avenue ice in enemy colours three years back. Now, it’s all business.
“My first game I was in awe,” he said. “You look up and it’s such a big stage. Now it’s all Storm all the way. I’m where I’m supposed to be and I’m looking forward to it.”
Before the game, the Rangers announced that veteran defenceman Connor Hall has elected to have season-ending shoulder surgery. Guelph D Owen Lalonde and forward Tag Bertuzzi also missed the game due to injuries.
Game 2 goes Sunday back at the Aud at 7 p.m.