The playoff drive starts tonight.
And the war or words is already under way. Owen Sound goalie Scott Stajcer, who hails from Cambridge, says his team sees Kitchener as a rival and that the Attack "hate" the Rangers.
I think one thing that irks the Attack is that the Rangers consider London and Guelph as rivals and not Owen Sound. Being overlooked in that way just makes the Attack even more perturbed.
But feeling slighted may not be enough to get Owen Sound over the hump. While the Attack are looking to pull off the upset, the team is a far cry from the one that won the OHL title last year.
Even the Owen Sound Times, has the group losing in five games.
That's the way I see the series as well. You can review my first round selections here.
No big surprises last night on the opening night of post-season action. Except maybe the eight goals Niagara scored against Oshawa. All the favourites won - Niagara, Barrie and Ottawa.
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How did it go for the Rangers in Game 1 in recent years? Glad you asked.
2011: Plymouth 6, Kitchener 5. Goalie Brandon Maxwell allows all six goals.
2010: Kitchener 3, Saginaw 2 (OT). Julian Cimadamore pots winner.
2009: Did not make playoffs.
2008: Kitchener 9, Plymouth 2. Matt Halischuk two goals and three assists.
2007: Kitchener 6, Sarnia 4. Steve Downie two goals, two assists.
2006: Owen Sound 3, Kitchener 2. Dan Turple takes the loss.
2005: Erie 2, Kitchener 1 (OT). Another first game loss for Turple.
2004: Plymouth 3, Kitchener 2. Adam Keefe with a goal for Kitchener.
2003: Kitchener 3, Sault Ste. Marie 0. Scott Dickie with the shutout.
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Line combos for tonight's tilt:
Thomson-Catenacci-Rieder
Pedersen-Crescenzi-Randell
Lorentz-Faksa-Ming
Grant-Sterk-Francisco
Sol-Murphy
Iafrate-Fanelli
Genovese-Young
Gibson
Owen Sound:
Blandisi-D. Catenacci-Brace
Gavrus-Smith-Nastasiuk
Gabriel-Childerley-Cook
Zweep-Rymarchuk
Cutting-Gilbert
Bigras-Rose
Hope-Dotchin
Binnington
Interesting to see centre Curtis Meighan out of the lineup for the Rangers. He's great on faceoffs, kills penalties and only has three fewer goals than Josh Sterk, who took his place centring the fourth line.
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Oh dear. Renovations at the Aud have me stuck in a corner of the rink for the post-season. The press box has been ripped out and a giant plywood wall is up in its place. The view isn't so bad, but it is cramped in here.
And what's with a freelancer from Sportsnet getting a better seat? No love for the regulars. Ah well, could always be worse.
First playoff game for me since the Rangers were in the Memorial Cup at the Aud. That's going back a bit. Hope it's loud tonight.
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Puck points:
- It took a while, but the Rangers got going. The team was successful this year on skill, speed and hard work but came out trying to win the "who-can-hit-more" contest. When they abandoned that strategy, the goals flowed.
- Owen Sound led the OHL in penalty minutes in the regular season and their rough style hurt them tonight. Two power play goals for the Rangers.
- Attack coach Greg Ireland was fuming after the game. He accused Tyler Randell of leaving his feet on hits twice and wants the OHL to review the play that sent Artur Gavrus crashing to the ice. Gavrus left in the first and did not return.
- Owen Sound was playing with 10 forwards by game's end.
- Weird game -- trainer Barry Hoch was cut when he was hit by a puck (he's OK), glass shattered on a body check, Gavrus leaves the game and Kitchener erupts for five unanswered goals.
- Do we see Cambridge's Scott Stajcer in goal for the Attack Saturday?
- Thought Kitchener's vets were the best players on the ice tonight.
JB's top three Rangers: Tyler Randell, Cody Sol, Ben Thomson
