Back together
Reunited Rangers rediscovering chemistry
KITCHENER — Jay McKee is going back in time in a bid to spark the future.
The Kitchener Rangers coach has reunited winger Joseph Garreffa and centre Greg Meireles to help fill the offensive void left by several departing goal-scoring stars up front.
And, so far, he seems to be on to something.
The duo combined for six points — three each — in the Rangers’ season opening 6-2 victory against the Flint Firebirds last Friday at the Aud and was a constant threat all game.
It’s not the first time the pair has clicked.
Two years back, Garreffa had a breakout 25-goal campaign with Meireles as his pivot and Dallas Stars prospect Adam Mascherin on the right side.
Garreffa potted just a dozen markers last season while playing the bulk of the season with different linemates and on defence. Meireles was also affected, going from 42 points as a rookie to 30 last season.
“We aren’t going to replace Mascherin,” said McKee. “But with Meireles as his centre, we’re going to try and spark Garreffa a little bit.”
A lot of thought goes into line making.
“You look for chemistry,” said McKee. “You want to put your goal scorers with playmakers. But there are a lot of different things. Sometimes guys just enjoy playing together. That actually has an effect on how they play.”
That’s the case with Garreffa, a speed demon with superior puck handling ability, and Meireles, a well-rounded centre whose dogged tenacity forces a lot of turnovers.
“He always finds me and I always find him,” said Meireles, 19. “We’re different players but we think about the game the same way and that’s why we work so well together.”
Added Garreffa: “I love playing with Greg. Every night he comes to work. He’s a great guy in the room and we’re always smiling and sharing a laugh.”
Every combo seemed to click in the Rangers’ opener.
Pass happy Rickard Hugg was a natural for the goal-hungry Riley Damiani and Nick McHugh.
A renewed Eric Guest and veteran Jonathan Yantsis also combined for six points with greenhorn Isaac Langdon in the middle while the fourth-line rookies held their own.
There will be more tinkering to come. There always is.
But, so far, putting Garreffa and Meireles back together is paying dividends. “Hopefully we can rekindle the magic and do some damage to defences this season,” said Garreffa.
The Rangers return to action Friday when they host the Ottawa 67’s at 7:30 p.m.