The hockey action never stops, or at least it feels that way. The Kitchener Rangers are back at it tonight against Kingston.
And it's a case of the opposites right now. Kitchener is riding a two-game winning streak while the Fronts are winless in their last two.
The suddenly offensive Rangers have 11 goals in the past pair of games while the Fronts have been outscored 12-5 in their last two. Kingston is 1-3 on the road this season.
Rangers' winger Tobias Rieder had his best game of the year last night in Sarnia, capping a Kitchener comeback that saw the club rally to win 5-3 in the third period.
I'll be back here later on today from the Aud. In the meantime, enjoy an extra photo from the home opener, courtesy of Record photographer David Bebee (who also shot the one of Ben Thomson below).
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Kitchener's lines for tonight - no overage players in the lineup.
Thomson-Marcantuoni-Rieder
Puempel-Faksa-Ming
Pedersen-Sterk-Bailey
Llewellyn-Meighan-Schmalz
McEneny-Murphy
Fanelli-Iafrate
Gilbert-Genovese
John Gibson in goal.
Overagers Domenic Alberga and Nick Czinder are healthy scratches. OA blueliner Ryan Hanes is still out with a stinger.
Kingston:
Jenkins-Bennett-Beckstead
Alcock-Greenaway-Watson
Ikonen-Kujawinski-Morbeck
Fitzmorris-Dupuy-Cull
Vainonen-McKeown
Steele-DiPerna
Moffat-Nixon
Mike Morrison goes for his second win against his former club this season.
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Puck points:
- Head coach/GM Steve Spott said the main difference in the past three games (all wins) has been the team's sense of urgency.
- A bit of a coming out party for rookie Justin Bailey. His first goal was a backhanded beauty. I warned you last night that he will be one to watch.
- Ryan Murphy for OHL player of the week? Eight points in three games should get him consideration.
- Not just the OAs sitting. Make a mistake and you'll ride the pine. Ask defenceman Evan McEneny after he took a bad penalty in the second period. He didn't see much ice time after that.
- Miss hearing the fan yelling "free chili." I guess he no longer attends games or is sitting somewhere new. After two games, I must say that games are a bit more rowdy with the new licensed seats near the pressbox.
- Tobias Rieder is playing with the confidence he showed last year. Five points for him in the past two games. Smart move by Spott to put Thomson on the top line since he has chemistry with Rieder from last year. Marcantuoni is fitting in nicely in the middle.
- I think the score flattered the visitors. Felt like Kitchener dominated puck possession. Hard to believe the Fronts outshot the Rangers.
- Nobody second guessing John Gibson's third start in a row now. Gotta ride the hot hand, no?
JB's top three Rangers: Justin Bailey, John Gibson, Ryan Murphy
