Always forget that the Gatorade Garden City Complex really isn't that far from Kitchener. But never forget the crappy parking. Luckily arriving early means that isn't a problem.
Gotta love the old barn. Smells like a sewer right outside the Rangers' dressing room.
Kitchener lines for tonight:
Ben-Thomson-Matia Marcantuoni-Tobias Rieder
Matt Puempel-Radek Faksa-Eric Ming
Brent Pedersen-Josh Sterk-Justin Bailey
Domenic Alberga-Curtis Meighan-Matt Schmalz
Ryan Murphy-Ben Fanelli
Evan McEneny-Max Iafrate
Jared Gilbert-Cory Genovese
John Gibson gets the start.
And for Niagara:
Mitchell Theoret-Ryan Strome-Brett Ritchie
Anthony DiFruscia-Steve Shipley-Joel Wigle
Trevor Petersen-Carter Verhaeghe-Mack Lemmon
Ryan Shipley-Brook Hiddink-Mike Robinson
Luke Mercer-Dougie Hamilton
Jesse Graham-Shayne Rover
Aaron Haydon-Broderick Kelly
Chris Festarini is in goal.
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Puck points:
- John Gibson deserved better. A great game spoiled by zero offence. At what point is the lack of scoring deemed temporary or a trend?
- That's five goals in the past four games for the Rangers (regulation time). PP is 0-for-11 in that span.
- Despite the sad stats, the third unit of Josh Sterk, Brent Pedersen and Justin Bailey looked sharp. Bailey almost had his fourth goal -- the puck bounced between the legs of Niagara stopper Chris Festarini -- but he was denied.
- The Rangers thought Niagara d-man Jesse Graham touched the puck in the crease with his hand on the second reviewed non-goal.
- Some wonky shot clock counters in St. Kitts for sure. One sequence had Matia Marcantuoni shoot on goal and Ben Thomson whack away at the rebound. One shot counted.
- Marcantuoni is out with a hand injury. X-ray comes tomorrow. He looked like he was in agony by the bench after blocking a shot with his right hand.
- Dougie Hamilton and Ryan Strome would solve a lot of problems in Kitchener. But it's tough to trade the farm for two guys who may not be in the league when/if the NHL resumes. Besides, with Niagara winning, the 'Dogs may not be in sell off mode.
- No Nick Czinder, healthy scratch for third time this season.
- A good dose of Rangers fans made the trek to St. Catharines. Too bad it was a stinker.
JB's top three Rangers: John Gibson, Domenic Alberga, Ben Fanelli
