Rangers Report

Dispatches from practice

It was  a full cast at Sportsworld Arena for today's Kitchener Rangers practice.

John Gibson was looking sharp as he prepares to return from surgery. The netminder had his adenoids and tonsils removed earlier this month. Gibson hasn't played since Jan. 27 but will start Thursday against the Barrie Colts.

Keli Grant was also at practice but will ride out the year with the Kitchener Ducthmen, who are currently in Jr. B post-season play.

Stephen Midensky looks to be a go for the Rangers' two-game road trip that sees the club play Barrie Thursday and Sudbury Friday. He has been out of action since Feb. 12, when he suffered a concussion in a scrap in London. The blueliner has passed all the necessary screening to return, save his final computer test, which he will take tonight.

The Rangers worked a lot on the power play. Same two units they've been using of late - Catenacci, Rieder, Faksa, Murphy and Crescenzi and Lorentz, Thomson, Sol, Iafrate and Randell.

Born to rock

I caught up with former Kitchener Rangers defenceman Matt Lashoff yesterday.

He's been out for most of the year with a torn ACL, but the time away from hockey has allowed him to pen his second album.

In case you didn't know, Lashoff is also an accomplished musician. He sings and plays guitar and has released an 11-song CD.

When I reached him, he had just finished welcoming Mark Fraser to the fold. Fraser, also an ex-Ranger, was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs at the deadline. Both played in Kitchener at the same time and share the exact same birthday.

I have to say that Lashoff is one of the best hockey players I've ever interviewed. Well spoken, interesting and likes to talk. A reporter's dream, lol.

He wrote many of his songs in Kitchener while he was playing here. And he even played a few bars around town as a teenager.

He's not the only Rangers to play an instrument. Derek Roy plays the drums.

When asked if he's ever written a song called "The Pete DeBoer Blues" Lashoff laughed and said: "No, we always had a good relationship. He was good to me."

 

Farm report

A look at how some of the Kitchener Rangers prospects are doing in various leagues:

A massive weekend for Matt Peca (waiver claim). The Quinnipiac forward got in on every goal scored by the Bobcats, collecting six assists in the team's 4-1 win over Brown and 2-2 tie with Yale. Peca now has 30 points in 33 games. 

Not a good weekend for the Gloucester Rangers, who gave up 16 goals in two games, while scoring just six. Defenceman John Owen Stewart (6th round, 2011) had one assist. The blueliner has one goal and 12 assists in 51 games.

Oakville goalie James Prigione is getting the nod over Mike Stiliadis (9th round, 2010) in the Blades' playoffs series vs Buffalo in OJHL action.

Blueliner Scott Mayfield (6th round, 2010) added a goal in the University of Denver's 5-3 win over North Dakota Saturday. He has three goals and nine assists in 33 games.

The Kitchener Dutchmen start a best-of-seven playoff series Thursday against Brantford. The Dutchies wrapped up the season with a 9-2 loss to Stratford. Rangers' property Brett Clampitt had a goal and an assist in the loss while Keli Grant (3rd round, 2009) also scored.

***

Meanwhile, more love for Radek Faksa.

And yesterday's NHL trade deadline affected at least one former Rangers. Ex-captain Mark Fraser was dealt from Anaheim to the Toronto Maple Leafs. The blueliner was captain of the club in Kitchener during the 2005-06 season.

Ugly weekend

Well it wasn't pretty. Two lopsided losses to Owen Sound and Guelph have the Rangers struggling.

Nine games to go. The turnaround, according to the club, starts Thursday in Barrie. It could be John Gibson's first game back in goal.

Here is how the Storm gamed played out in the Mercury.

Gibson and a few others are no doubt keeping an eye on the web to see if they're moved during the NHL's trade deadline day.

A recap of Rangers who could be tossed in a deal today:

John Gibson, Anaheim Ducks

Tyler Randell, Boston Bruins

Ryan Murphy, Carolina Hurricanes

Cody Sol, Winnipeg Jets

Andrew Cresecenzi, Toronto Maple Leafs

Tobias Rieder, Edmonton Oilers

Guelph 6, Kitchener 3

Watch game, sleep, wakeup, repeat.

At least that's what happens when you stay in Owen Sound to watch the UFC fights after the Rangers' game. Getting killed in my fantasy MMA pool, but on to more pressing matters.

Some line changes for this afternoon's tilt.

Thomson-Catenacci-Rieder
Ming-Crescenzi-Pedersen
Randell-Faksa-Lorentz
Sterk-Meighan-Clampitt

Sol-Murphy
Fanelli-Iafrate
Genovese-Gilbert

Palazzese

Guelph:

Watling-Dickinson-Mitchell
Menard-Garlent-Kosmachuk
Bertuzzi-Horvat-McNaughton
Turcotte-Nichol-Auger

Pedan-Finn
Gaskin-Pereira
Leslie-Poliziani

Sparks

So Randell is slotted with Faksa and Lorentz and Ming joins Crescenzi and Pedersen. Let's see if that can re-ignited the Faksa line, which has struggled this month.

***

Is this a must win? Maybe not, but losing five of the last seven doesn't sit well with the post-season in view. Both teams are playing their third game in three days.

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Game summary

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Puck points:

- Shades of 2011? Remember the seven-game losing skid heading into the post-season? Kitchener has nine games to right the track, after losing five of its past seven.

- You had to figure it would happen sooner or later, Guelph winning that is. Kitchener had won the previous six meetings this season.

- Josh Sterk was benched for most of the second period. He scored in the third, his first in 28 games.

- Make February the first losing month for the Rangers this season (5-7).

- Luckily, for the Rangers, it would take an epic collapse to lose home ice advantage in the playoffs. But the possibility still exists. Only nine points between Kitchener and Owen Sound.

- John Gibson should be back in action Thurs-Fri when the club heads to Barrie and Sudbury. Last two rinks for me to see this season.

JB's top three Rangers: Tyler Randell, Jared Gilbert, Cory Genovese

Owen Sound 7, Kitchener 1

Looking out the window and seeing all the snow is making me cringe at the thought of a drive north to Owen Sound.

If you don't hear from me at the game, send a search party up Hwy. 6.

As for the Rangers, they're 4-1 vs the Attack this season. But Owen Sound is one of the hottest teams in the league right now, going 7-2-1 in its last 10 games.

***

The OHL moving to Hamilton continues to be a big deal in Steeltown. Friend and peer Scott Radley examines the feasibility of a team coming to town today. Meanwhile, fans in Erie lament the potential loss of the Otters, who are rumoured to be on the move to the Hammer.

***

Arrived alive in Owen Sound. Call off the search party.

As for the playoff scenario above that I had above (now deleted), my bad. Have my OHL standings bookmarked to conference. Of course, the Rangers can't pass the Whalers as they will be division champs.

But their opponent could be Owen Sound, which would make tonight's tilt a bit of a playoff preview.

***

Tossed in a bonus photo from last night's 3-1 win over Peterborough. Check out the face on the girls to the left. She looks terrified.

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Line combos:

Thomson-Catenacci-Rieder
Sterk-Crescenzi-Randell
Lorentz-Faksa-Ming
Pedersen-Meighan-Francisco

Sol-Murphy
Fanelli-Iafrate
Genovese-Young

Palazzese

Owen Sound:

Halmo-D. Catenacci-Brace
Blandisi-Smith-Gavrus
Zweep-Gabriel-Nastasiuk
Rymarchuk-Cook

Cutting-Gilbert
Bigras-Hope
Rose-Dotchin

Binnington

***

Game summary

***

Puck points:

- Trying to think of something positive to say about this one, for the Rangers. At least Franky Palazzese got some rest.

- A lot of line dancing going on tonight, as expected in a 7-1 blowout. Josh Sterk and Brent Pedersen seem to be the ones jumping around the most as coach/GM Steve Spott tries to get them going on offence.

- Forward Brandon Francisco took a hard hit midway through the game and was motionless for about 10 seconds on the ice but skated away and is not injured, according to the team.

- A good time for the club to get Guelph on Sunday, a team they've beaten six times this season.

- For what it's worth, I'd plunk Sterk, Pedersen and Meighan on a youth line and let it ride from here on out. That would mean Francisco on the second line with Randell and Crescenzi.

- Anyone seen the Faksa line lately? It's due for a big game soon.

JB's top three Rangers: Curtis Meighan, Ben Fanelli, Cory Genovese

Kitchener 3, Peterborough 1

Kitchener Rangers forward Tyler Randell is back in the lineup.

The overager has missed the past 13 games with a high ankle sprain. He'll be a big boost to the second unit.

Randell has three goals in five games since rejoining the club from the AHL's Providence Bruins.

Tonight's tilt marks the return of Jonathan Jasper.

The defenceman was traded to the Petes this past November for a fourth round selection. Jasper has nine assists in 40 games since joining Peterborough.

It's also goalie Mike Morrison's first game back at the Aud since an off-season trade. The Hamilton native will start tonight.

***

I just spoke with Jasper in the hallway and he's happy to be back.

"Four years I played here and I never stepped foot into that room," he said, referring to the visitor's change room. "I never even knew what it looked like in there."

Jasper said he has been texting a few former Rangers in advance of the game.

"We're all trying to get each other going for the game," he said, of the good natured ribbing.

Warmup will be the hardest part for the Williamstown native.

"It's an awkward feeling being back. Coming out for the warmup will be an eye-opener. There will be a lot of memories going through my head."

Hopefully the game opps folks at the Aud have a good sense of humour and will show Jasper's "Bad Boy" ad on the screen over centre ice.

***

Lines for tonight:

Thomson-Catenacci-Rieder
Randell-Crescenzi-Pedersen
Ming-Faksa-Lorentz
Sterk-Meighan-Francisco

Murphy-Sol
Iafrate-Murphy
Genovese-Young

Palazzese

Petes:

Ritchie-Quine-Martschini
Yogan-West-Nosad
Hatcher-Pierog-Fitze
Campagna-Thompson

Trojanovic-Varga
Ceresnak-Murduff
Murphy-Jasper

Morrison

***

Game summary

***

Puck points:

- Oh so close on the shutout, yet again. The two best chances of the year for the Rangers have come against the Petes. Both times, the shutout was spoiled in the third period.

- Not the sexiest game. More of a greasy win, but the club will take it. That's two in a row for Kitchener.

- Some line dancing from coach/GM Steve Spott. Rookie Brent Pedersen was bumped down to the fourth line and Josh Sterk was promoted to the second unit in the third period.

- Spott said the club "dodged a bullet" by pulling out a victory.

- Props to the game opps folks who showed the Jonathan Jasper commercial on the video board. The Petes' healthy scratches sitting in the pressbox got a kick out of it, as did I.

- Some bad turnovers by Ryan Murphy tonight. Not often that you can call out the all-star defender.

- Captain Mike Catenacci continues his tear - a goal and two assists tonight. That's 63 points in 46 games.

JB's top three Rangers: Michael Catenacci, Franky Palazzese, Radek Faksa

OHL moving back to Hamilton?

Woke up this morning to a frenzy of stories saying the Erie Otters are on the move to Hamilton.

This story in the Hamilton Spectator says the Otters would play out of the Dave Andreychuk Mountain Arena before moving downtown to Copps Coliseum, should the AHL's Hamilton Bulldogs leave town for Quebec as rumoured.

The Erie-Times News says the Otters are keeping mum. To be fair, this rumour has been circulating for years and the Otters are trying to get a favourable deal extension at the Tullio Arena, which is undergoing renovations.

Team owner Sherry Bassin said talks are going well between the club and the city on an extension.

The last OHL squad in the Hammer was the Dukes, who went on to become the Guelph Storm in 1991.

Season milestones

A dozen regular season games left. That's it, that's all.

This year is going by fast. But there still are several milestones for the players and team to hit. Let's consider a few of them.

48 team wins:

This would give the Rangers (37-17-1-1) the third most victories in team history. The only problem? The lads need to win 11 of the next 12 to do it.

Probability: Low

Two goalies, 20 wins each:

It would be a nice feat for the netminders. Franky Palazzese (19-10-1-1)needs one win to do it. John Gibson (17-7) needs three.

Probability: High

200 PIM player:

Cody Sol could be the first Ranger to collect 200 penalty minutes in a season in six years. He has 160 and is averaging 3.08 per game. That pace would put him about three minutes shy of the mark. But with games meaning more down the stretch and the potential to rest the final one or two (Sol is among the team leaders in minutes played per game), it's going to be tough.

Boris Valabik (in photo) was the last Ranger to reach the mark. He had 216 in 2005-06.

Probability: Medium

40-goal scorer:

Tobias Rieder has the best shot. He sits at 35. Been two years since the team boasted a 40-goaler. Jeremy Morin had 47 and Jeff Skinner had 50 in 2009-10.

Probability: High

One shutout:

You have to go all the way back to Peter DeBoer's 2003-04 club to find the last time the team didn't register at least one shutout. DeBoer used five goalies that season and the team went 34-26-6-2. Kitchener is one of two teams (the other is last place Erie) that doesn't have a shutout this season. They have the goalies to do it but time is running out.

Probability: Medium

Win rookie scoring race:

It's Radek Faksa's to lose. The Czech import has a 10-point cushion on London's Max Domi, who sits second. Faksa is slowing down but still has five points in his past 10 games. He could finish the year with the most rookie points, goals and assists.

Probability: High

Rangers fall out of rankings

The Kitchener Rangers are no longer ranked among the CHL's top ten teams.

In fact, the club didn't even get an honourable mention, after sitting eighth in the country last week.

Kitchener lost two games and won once in the past seven days before the rankings were released today -- a 5-3 loss to Barrie, 5-1 loss to London and a 6-1 victory over Guelph.

Top ten:

1. London Knights (42-13-0-1), OHL
2. Saint John Sea Dogs (42-14-0-2), QMJHL
3. Kamloops Blazers (41-14-1-3), WHL
4. Tri-City Americans (41-15-1-2), WHL
5. Shawinigan Cataractes (39-12-3-4), QMJHL
6. Portland Winterhawks (42-15-2-1), WHL
7. Edmonton Oil Kings (39-14-3-4), WHL
8. Plymouth Whalers (37-17-2-1), OHL
9. Ottawa 67's (36-15-5-1), OHL
10. Quebec Remparts (36-15-5-2), QMJHL

Honourable mention: Niagara IceDogs, Vicotriaville Tigres, Moose Jaw Warriors

Macaroni and video games

Two of the pleasures Kitchener Rangers goalie John Gibson has enjoyed since being sidelined with surgery to have his adenoids and tonsils removed.

Read more about his past month off here. But all is good now and the netminder returns tomorrow.

If all goes well he'll see some weekend action. If he needs more time, he'll start next Thursday in Barrie.

Gibson is 17-7 this season and still fifth in goals against average in the OHL (2.60) and first in save percentage (.932) despite essentially missing the past two and a half months.

Franky Palazzese has served the Rangers well in his absence going 12-7-0-1 since Gibson left for the world juniors in early December. Palazzese is second in the OHL in save percentage (.929) and 10th in GAA (2.86).

Not a bad combo.

***

Here's a great story by the CBC's Tim Wharnsby on former Rangers coach Peter DeBoer and ex-forward David Clarkson, both now with the New Jersey Devils.

Clarkson is up to 23 goals. His best is 33 with the 2004-05 Rangers.

***

Tyler Randell (ankle) is not only back skating, but he's practising with the club. A solid week on the ice will likely mean a return this weekend. He has missed the past 13 games after suffering a high ankle sprain in a fight in Belleville. Before getting injured, he had three goals in five games.

Gibson's return delayed

Kitchener goalie John Gibson rolled into town from Pittsburgh this afternoon.

Rangers coach/GM Steve Spott told me yesterday that Gibson would be back on the ice today, but the netminder says he doesn't have clearance from doctors until Thursday.

It's nothing major, just a formality at this point, but he has to follow orders.

So, he'll practise Thursday and see how he feels. He's down 15 pounds from surgery to remove his adenoids and tonsils.

Gibson is hoping to get in a few games at minimum before the post-season. The Rangers have a dozen to go until playoffs begin.

Kitchener broke its three-game slide in Guelph Monday by beating Guelph, again, this time 6-1.

Over in Guelph, coach Scott Walker tells the Mercury that the Storm isn't holding its own in the rivalry department.

Kitchener's top line busted out for a big night in the victory. Michael Catenacci, Ben Thomson (in photo shot by the Merc) and Tobias Rieder combined for 11 points.

Rangers' defenceman Cody Sol put a hurting on Guelph's Spencer Turcotte in the match:

 

Kitchener 6, Guelph 1

The Rangers are looking to break their three-game losing skid in Guelph this afternoon.

The team was crushed by London 5-1 yesterday, but still clinched a playoff spot on the weekend.

Here is how the Free Pree saw the game.

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Rangers' prospect Jacob Trouba, who is expected to go top ten in the NHL draft, was on NBC talking hockey for Hockey Weekend in the USA.

Still searching for a video of it, but comments on Michigan chat boards indicate that he didn't bring up the University of Michigan once. Interesting.

See ya in Guelph soon.

***

Line combos for today's game:

Kitchener

Thomson-Catenacci-Rieder
Pedersen-Crescenzi-Francisco
Lorentz-Faksa-Ming
Sterk-Meighan-Young

Sol-Murphy
Iafrate-Fanelli
Gilbert-Genovese

Palazzese in goal.

Guelph:

Watling-Dickinson-Mitchell
Menard-Garlent-Kosmachuk
Bertuzzi-Horvat-McNaughton
Harpus-Nichol-Turcotte

Finn-Gaskin
Pedan-Pereira
Poliziani-Leslie

Garret Sparks gets the start.

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Game summary

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Puck  points:

- Kitchener's three-game slide is over. A one-sided affair in Guelph.

- The Storm looked lost out there today. Kitchener pounced from the opening whistle and didn't let up.

- The top trio of Michael Catenacci, Tobias Rieder and Ben Thomson were all in on the team's first three goals. Cat and Rieder had four points.

- Kitchener has defeated Guelph all six times this season, outscoring the Storm 30-13.

- Shutout was spoiled with about 14 minutes to go. I didn't say a word on Twitter this time. I thought this afternoon was the day the team would get its first SO. Erie, the only other team without a clean sheet, had one going until about three minutes left vs. Belleville.

- Forward Tyler Randell may return Friday. He has been out with a high ankle sprain and is ahead of schedule.

- Goalie John Gibson will skate Tuesday for the first time since having his adenoids and tonsils removed. He has dropped 10 pounds. The Rangers are hoping to play him this weekend.

- Max Iafrate did a good job of getting under Guelph's skin. Jesse Young had one of his best games too.

JB's top three Rangers: Michael Catenacci, Franky Palazzese, Tobias Rieder

London 5, Kitchener 1

So, are we in store for another gem like last week? Remember that game, the most boring turned exciting tilt of the season? London won 4-3 on a shootout.

London's Michael Houser squares off against Franky Palazzese in goal this afternoon.

As for the lines:

Thomson-Catenacci-Rieder
Pedersen-Crescenzi-Francisco
Lorentz-Faksa-Ming
Sterk-Meighan-Lesway

Sol-Murphy
Fanelli-Iafrate
Genovese-Young

 London:

Domi-Watson-Griffith
M. Rupert-R. Rupert-Welychka
McKegg-Tierney-Knight
Horvat-Athanasiou-Anderson

Tinordi-Harrington
Maatta-Cook
Ferry-Martin

***

Enjoyed a rare Saturday off yesterday. Thought I'd make it a day away from the team.

But when I stopped by Sobey's to get some groceries Max Iafrate, Jesse Young and Curtis Meighan were signing autographs.

***

Game summary

***

Puck points:

- Too many mistakes and too many turnovers. That might fly against weaker teams, but not against the nation's top ranked squad.

- 10-minute misconducts by Cody Sol and Ryan Murphy didn't help. Kitchener can't afford to lose the two players who log the most ice time. Murphy was benched for the last 10 minutes of the game.

- Tobias Rieder's 14-game point scoring streak and Michael Catenacci's 13-gamer ended.

- That's three losses in a row for the Rangers - the longest losing streak of the season.

- Thought coach/GM Steve Spott should have thrown in backup Jack Moylan with 10 minutes to go in the game. It was 5-1 London and Franky Palazzese could have used the rest.

- When London is clicking, they are a tough team to beat. First time this season that Kitchener has seen this club at its best.

- Michael Houser won his 40th game of the season this afternoon. That is more wins than the Rangers have as a team.

JB's top three Rangers: Brandon Francisco, Andrew Crescenzi, Brent Pedersen

Behenna delivers

Tanner Pearson and Mark Scheifele get all the national attention in Barrie but it was Waterloo native Colin Behenna who burned the Rangers Friday night at the Aud.

The overager had two goals and an assist as Barrie won 5-3 in his last game in Kitchener.

But London and Plymouth, who are both ahead of the Rangers in the west, also lost.

Kitchener takes on London Sunday and Guelph Monday.

Head coach/GM Steve Spott is concerned about the lack of secondary scoring. And he has a point.

In the past 11 games Eric Ming, Zach Lorentz, Ben Thomson, Brent Pedersen, Josh Sterk, Brandon Francisco and Curtis Meighan have combined for six goals.

Barrie 5, Kitchener 3

Let's hope the roof holds up at the Aud.

Tonight's tilt between Peterborough and Ottawa has been postponed until tomorrow. Mild weather the cause. That's a change for Ottawa.

I guess the warm temps led to a leaky roof at the Civic Centre.

Just about to leave for the Aud. Looking forward to tonight's game.

***

Kitchener's lines:

Thomson-Catenacci-Rieder
Lorentz-Faksa-Ming
Pedersen-Crescenzi-Francisco
Sterk-Meighan-Young

Sol-Murphy
Fanelli-Iafrate
Genovese-Gilbert

Palazzese in goal for Kitchener. Mathias Niederberger goes for Barrie.

Barrie's lines:

Camara-Scheifele-Behenna
Beyers-Pearson-Telegin
Erlich-Hall-Sutch
Smoskowitz-Bradford-Ezekiel

Lepkowski-Ekblad
Hartwick-O'Connor
Yuill-Buonomo
Laser

***

If my math is correct, Kitchener can clinch a playoff berth with a win tonight. A victory would give the Rangers 76 points.

The Soo has 50 points and currently occupies the last playoff spot in the west. Even if the 'Hounds won their remaining 13 games, the club would finish with 76 points, putting them in a tie in points with the Rangers. Kitchener would win the tie breaker on wins.

***

Game summary

***

Puck points:

- Not sure I've seen the Rangers use the body so much in a game this season.

- Kitchener had plenty of chances to win this game, including a two-man advantage late. Just not their night.

- Not sure if I can fault them for this one. Pretty consistent effort. Perhaps a few too many penalties.

- I liked the effort of the fourth line of Meighan, Sterk and Young. Sterk got burned for a minus-2 but the trio showed good energy throughout.

- The Rangers need some secondary scoring big time. Guys such as Meighan, Sterk, Francisco and Pedersen need to pick up some of the scoring slack soon.

- That's 14 straight games with points for Tobias Rieder, 13 for Michael Catenacci.

JB's top three Rangers: Tobias Rieder, Michael Catenacci, Cody Sol

Trio of locals return to Aud

It's a trifecta of local talent tonight at the Aud.

Kitchener's Mark Scheifele and Tanner Pearson and Waterloo's Colin Behenna mark their return to the region as the Barrie Colts take on the Rangers for the first time this season.

I caught up with Scheifele yesterday to get his thoughts on the game.

It got me thinking. Wouldn't Scheifele make a nice fit in Kitchener next season?

Of course, it all depends on what the Winnipeg Jets want to do. But Scheifele will only be 19 next September. If he doesn't make the NHL club, it's back to junior.

What if the Rangers wait to make sure he indeed does return for his third year and make a pitch to acquire the top line centre?

Barrie will have nine overagers next season. That means six have to go. Toss in the three existing OAs and that's nine players gone from this year's roster. It's safe to say the club will be rebuilding.

That makes Scheifele an intriguing piece of trade bait.

Four of the possible OAs will be on Barrie's blue line, an area the Rangers are rich in. The club will have Ryan Murphy, Ben Fanelli, Max Iafrate, Jared Gilbert, Cory Genovese, Jesse Young, Stephen Midensky and possibly Mitch Eden and Jacob Trouba in the back end next season.

Scheifele is a local lad, works out here in the off-season and would be a prime candidate to replace departing first line centre Mike Catenacci.

Some food for thought, that's for sure.

Randell on the comeback

Forward Tyler Randell was back on the ice Wednesday for the first time since suffering a high ankle sprain.

The gritty forward is itching to play. Scroll further down in the story for an update on Radek Faksa and Stephen Midensky.

The Rangers are now officially in their new practise home at Sportsworld. They'll be there (offices too) until September due to on-going renovations at the Aud.

***

The international scouting services released its February draft rankings.

Rangers' property Jake Trouba (USA Under-18) is slated to go fourth, while Faksa is ranked 19th. Kitchener native Tanner Pearson is 33rd.

Matia Marcantuoni and Max Iafrate are also expected to get drafted. Ben Fanelli and Evan McEneny are long shots, but in the mix.

***

Kitchener remains eighth in the CHL's national rankings. Not much movement at all in the top ten.

1. London Knights
2. Saint John Sea Dogs
3. Kamloops Blazers
4. Tri-City Americans
5. Shawinigan Cataractes
6. Edmonton Oil Kings
7. Plymouth Whalers
8. Kitchener Rangers
9. Portland Winterhawks
10. Quebec Remparts

Farm report

A look at how some of the Kitchener Rangers' top prospects are doing:

Centre Justin Bailey (7th round, 2011) had four goals and two assists in Long Island's 10-2 win over North Jersey this past weekend.

Forward Matt Peca (waiver claim) picked a goal and two assists as Quinnipiac University bested Clarkson 7-6 on Saturday. Peca has 23 points in 29 games this season.

Defenceman Scott Mayfield (6th round, 2010) had a pair of assists as Denver upset No. 1 ranked Minnesota in two games on the weekend.

Forward Zachary Aston-Reese (trade) had one assist on the weekend. The season line isn't pretty for the Lincoln Stars player -- nine points in 33 games and minus-5.

Blueliner Pat Gazzillo (9th round 2011) has two goals and two assists in five games this year while playing with the Chicago Fury Under-18 squad.

The Kitchener Dutchmen played Sunday and Tuesday and a trio of Rangers collected points. Forward Brett Clampitt (free agent) had a goal and an assist, Brandon Lesway (free agent) had a goal and two assists and defenceman Jared Gilbert (3rd round, 2011) had two helpers.

Spott slapped with fine

Kitchener Rangers general manager and head coach Steve Spott had to ante up for his outburst with an OHL on-site supervisor earlier this month.

Spott confronted the supervisor during intermission after the second period of the team's 4-1 loss to Saginaw Feb. 5 at the Aud. The team was hit with a $5,000 fine for his actions.

The game saw officials review three goals and wave off one.

After the game, the Rangers' skipper criticized the officiating. He was particularly upset with referee Jason Goldenberg who signaled a goal and then waved it off seconds later during the second period.

"I had a referee wave a goal, he then waves it off and second guesses himself," Spott said at the time. "It's unacceptable."