Looks like a great day for a drive northeast.
Perhaps there will be a new Ranger by the time the team arrives in Peterborough.
This trade deadline stuff can create some crazy stories. One was told to me yesterday by the Record's former Kitchener Rangers reporter Karlo Berkovich.
He was covering the team one year - back when we rode the team bus - and was on his way back from Owen Sound with the guys when Trevor Gallant was traded mid-ride. Berkovich interviewed Gallant about it with a few hours remaining on the trip.
At least Gallant got to say goodbye to his teammates! Talk about an awkward ride.
As for this year's edition of the Rangers, one new addition is certainly happy to be here. Derek Schoenmakers talks about fulfilling a dream and not wanting to report to the Petes, who ironically, he plays tonight.
Speaking of those Petes, they have responded well to new coach Jody Hull, who grew up playing hockey in Cambridge.
Meanwhile, the trade deadline has come and gone and the Kitchener Rangers have made no additional deals.
The team was looking for a centre but nothing materialized.
Prices were high as Peterborough pivot Alan Quine went to Belleville at a high cost of three second round picks.
Surprising to see 50-point centre Vincent Trocheck go to Plymouth for as little as a prospect -- Zach Bratina -- and a third rounder. Two conditional picks also went to Saginaw but I doubt they'll materialize as Trocheck will probably play in the AHL next year.
Kitchener lines:
Tobias Rieder-Matia Marcantuoni-Josh Leivo
Ben Thomson-Josh Sterk-Derek Schoenmakers
Brent Pedersen-Domenic Alberga-Eric Ming
Darby Llewellyn-Curtis Meighan-Justin Bailey
Ben Fanelli-Frank Corrado
Evan McEneny-Max Iafrate
Jared Gilbert-Owen Stewart
Joel Vienneau (16-12-2-4) starts.
Peterborough:
Greg Betzold-Michael Clarke-Stephen Nosad
Jonatan Tanus-Brett Findlay-Nick Czinder
Josh Maguire-Stephen Pierog-Derek Mathers
Cody Thompson-Eric Cornel-Chase Hatcher
Peter Ceresnak-Steven Trojanovic
Connor Boland-Brandon Devlin
Steven Varga-Clark Seymour
Andrew D'Agostini (4-12-1-2) starts.
Puck points:
- John Gibson (ANA), Radek Faksa (DAL), Ryan Murphy (CAR) and Frank Corrado (VAN) all leave Saturday to join NHL training camps.
- Darby Llewellyn's brother Tristin inked a deal with Gwinnett of the ECHL today.
- Coach/GM Steve Spott, assistant Troy Smith and forward Tobias Rieder all received pre-game awards for their participation in the world juniors and world U-17 tourney.
- The Petes honoured the Rangers' 50th season and presented team president Craig Campbell with a plaque before the game started.
- This time it was Peterborough's chance to take the shootout. Kitchener beat the Petes 4-3 in a shootout this past Friday.
- New goalie Joel Vienneau stood tall. He allowed just one goal on the shootout (in four attempts). The opening goal wasn't his fault either as blueliner Evan McEneny coughed up the puck to Derek Mathers who had a partial breakaway.
- Josh Leivo, Tobias Rieder, Brent Pedersen and Derek Schoenmakers were all shut out on the shootout by Petes' goalie Andrew D'Agostini. Schoenmakers received a loud chorus of boos from the crowd, in part because he refused to report after being traded to Peterborough by Windsor earlier this season.
- I have to say it again, even though the PP didn't score, Leivo and defenceman Frank Corrado bring such a nice element to the man advantage. So much more puck movement now.
- It took Nick Czinder 24 games to score with the Rangers. He got one in his first game with the Petes and has six points in his last four games.
- Josh Sterk and Brent Pedersen have really stepped up since the acquisition of the Sudbury three.
- No time to rest. Rangers at home Friday (Sarnia) and Sunday (Niagara).
- At 4-0-1-1, Petes coach Jody Hull has one of the highest winning percentages in the OHL.
JB's top three Rangers: Brent Pedersen, Ben Fanelli, Josh Leivo
