Jon Michael Dragojevic lit the lamp for the first time in the 2016-17 season for the Jesuit hockey team, but three unanswered goals by McKinney pushed the Lions past the Rangers, 4-1, in the AT&T Metroplex Hockey League opener on Thursday at the Dr. Pepper StarCenter in McKinney.
Â
Anthony Calabrese and
Andrew Ngov recorded assists on Dragojevic's goal, scored with 39 seconds remaining in the opening stanza. Jesuit could not withstand a determined offensive in the third period by the Lions, who placed 12 shots on goal and scored twice. Ranger goalie
Royce Allred made 20 saves on the evening, while the Jesuit offense managed to place 11 shots on target.
Â
McKinney struck first four minutes into the first, taking the lead until Dragojevic netted the equalizer in the waning moments of the period. Jesuit looked to take the lead in the second, placing six attempts on goal, but McKinney took the lead with two minutes left, taking on a pair of goals midway through the third to earn the victory.
Â
Jesuit will look to rebound on Thursday, Oct. 6 against Plano West. The first clash of the year between the Rangers and Wolves is scheduled for a 7 p.m. puck drop at the Richardson StarCenter.