As expected no Nick Czinder tonight.
The big guy is out indefinitely with a concussion after being hit by Windsor's Ty Bilcke Friday at the Aud.
"We feel it was a blindside late hit," said Rangers' GM/coach Steve Spott. "There was no contact to his head but in my mind it was a five minute charge and for me it should be something that is reviewed by the league."
To that end, the Rangers have contacted the league but have not heard back.
"We have a player who is out because of what I feel was a predatory hit," said Spott. "Those are the hits that we have to get out of the game."
Bilcke got a two minute minor on the play.
As for Max Iafrate, he's out the next two games for being involved in the second fight in the same stoppage Friday vs. Windsor. Spits winger Jordan Maletta is also gone for a deuce.
Kitchener lines:
Ben Thomson-Domenic Alberga-Tobias Rieder
Matt Puempel-Radek Faksa-Eric Ming
Brent Pedersen-Josh Sterk-Justin Bailey
Darby Llewellyn-Curtis Meighan-Matt Schmalz
Ryan Murphy-Ben Fanelli
Evan McEneny-Jared Gilbert
Cory Genovese-Owen Stewart
John Gibson (8-3) gets the start.
Owen Sound:
Gemel Smith-Dan Catenacci-Cam Brace
Gilbert Gabor-Joe Blandisi-Jaden Lindo
Kyle Hope-Holden Cook-Kurtis Gabriel
Dan Zweep-Devon Rymarchuk-Zach Nastasiuk
Keevin Cutting-Jake Dotchin
Chris Bigras-Nathan Chiarlitti
Kurtis MacDermid-Brayden Rose
Jordan Binnington (10-1-0-2) goes in net.
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Puck points:
- Oh those Rangers. Can they just win a straight forward game? Up 2-0 with seven minutes and change to go should be good enough to get it done, no? Two bad turnovers later and it's 2-2 and we're headed for OT. At least they got the win. It certainly wasn't pretty.
- Good for Ryan Murphy for 1) owning up to his mistakes (he in part led to both Owen Sound goals) and 2) for righting the wrong by scoring the OT winner. Vindication, no doubt.
- Rookie forward Justin Bailey delivered an absolute rocket that dinged the post. The kid is on his game.
- Talked to Steve Spott about life at the quarter mark of the season. When asked to name a player who has surprised him through 17 games he answered: defenceman Jared Gilbert.
- Spott also made a good point. While Mike Catenacci ignited this offence last year, this team has too much talent for him to be the sole reason it is currently struggling. Kitchener has scored the fewest amount of goals in the western conference.
- That Puempel trade is working out nicely - 12 goals and he's the most consistent offensive player on the club.
- Giving up a shortie while on a 5-on-3 was hard to watch tonight. The Rangers have yet to find that killer instinct this season. You know, that ability to just put games out of reach.
- Goaltending isn't bad eh? Five goals relinquished in the past four games.
JB's top three Rangers: Matt Puempel, John Gibson, Radek Faksa
