A cold, rainy day up here in Ottawa.
Fans may get stuck parking far away in the lot at the Aud but at least they don't have to pay $7 per car, like they do here at Scotiabank Place.
GM/coach Steve Spott has tinkered a bit with the lines for this afternoon's game.
Puempel-Alberga-Marcantuoni
Thomson-Faksa-Rieder
Pedersen-Sterk-Czinder
Llewellyn-Meighan-Schmalz
McEneny-Murphy
Fanelli-Iafrate
Hanes-Stewart
John Gibson gets the start.
For Ottawa, it's:
Gustavsen-Monahan-Mraz
Janes-Graovac-Fielding
Walsh-Giftopoulos-Salituro
Abou-Assaly-Guy-Brown
Cajkovsky-Cardwell
Callaghan-Ceci
Vlajkov-Desautels
Keegan Wilson goes in net.
Puck points:
- There is no problem with the team's fourth line. It scored again tonight on Owen Stewart's first career goal. It's the other three that are not clicking.
- Darby Llewellyn stepped up to fight Dan Walsh in the second period and took one for the team. It was a one-sided victory for Walsh. One wonders why Llewellyn, who just turned 16, had to be the one to try and spark the veteran-laden club?
- Goalie John Gibson wasn't great, but the team defence didn't do him any favours.
- Ryan Murphy, Domenic Alberga, Nick Czinder, Matia Marcantuoni, Tobias Rieder and Ben Thomson have combined to score two goals.
- You can't fault the Rangers for talking big and throwing around the Memorial Cup line during the pre-season. But right now, they're fighting for the last playoff spot in the west. This on a team that has eight guys who are either drafted or signed to the NHL.
- Eric Ming took the warm up but did not play this afternoon. The winger was nursing an injury after blocking a shot at practice. He'll be back Friday. Defenceman Cory Genovese has missed the last two games with a shoulder injury.
- Coach/GM Steve Spott said teams aren't in the trading mood this early and that most assess their clubs after about 15-20 games. So don't expect a scoring centre to drop into the lineup any time soon.
JB's top three Rangers: Owen Stewart, Curtis Meighan, Darby Llewellyn
