Shorthanded and unassisted, South Grenville Rangers’ forward Nicholas McFarlane finds the back of the net in the first period to put his team ahead 2-0 against the Metcalfe Jets. (The Leader/Blancher photo) nnCARDINAL – The South Grenville Rangers continue to battle their North Dundas rivals, the Rockets, for the top spot in the NCJHL standings. A pair of wins by the Rangers, and a mixed weekend for the Rockets put South Grenville back on top before the Christmas holiday break.nnThe Rangers hosted the Metcalfe Jets December 17, which provided a bit of a scare for the Rangers.nnSouth Grenville opened a 2-0 lead in the first period. Ethan Wooller and Nicholas McFarlane (shorthanded) scored for the Rangers.nnSouth Grenville continued to struggle offensively in the second period, a regular occurrence recently on home ice. Metcalfe capitalized, tying the game up 2-2.nnOwen Webster’s power play goal for the Rangers late in the third period was ultimately the game winner as South Grenville edged out Metcalfe 3-2.nnOn the road December 18, the Rangers played a more commanding game in St. Isidore, defeating the Eagles 6-2.nnThe teams traded a goal each in the first period before the Rangers took charge early in the second period. Two goals in that period, and three more in the third set South Grenville up for the 6-2 win.nnNoah Penney scored twice, Cole Jelly, Connor Van Luit, Jacob McGonegal, and McFarlane each scored once for the Rangers. South Grenville were three-for-five on the power play and five-for-five on the penalty kill.nnThe double wins move the Rangers back into first place in the National Capital Junior Hockey League standings as the 2022 calendar year ends. The team has a record of 17 wins, three losses and one tie for 35 points. South Grenville and North Dundas are tied in points, but the Rangers’ win percentage is .833 while the Rockets’ is .761. South Grenville has two games in hand.nnThe Rangers resume play January 7, 2023 at home against the Clarence Castors.
