The Kitchener Rangers are using the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" slogan for this afternoon's tilt.
There are no changes to the lineup for the match against the London Knights.
And why mess with a good thing? The team has three points in its past two games and is sticking with the crew that got them there.
London comes to town with a 4-5-1 record in its past 10 games.
Kitchener lines:
Matt Puempel-Tobias Rieder-Josh Leivo
Brent Pedersen-Josh Sterk-Justin Bailey
Ben Thomson-Matia Marcantuoni-Derek Schoenmakers
Domenic Alberga-Curtis Meighan-Eric Ming
Ben Fanelli-Frank Corrado
Ryan Murphy-Evan McEneny
Max Iafrate-Jared Gilbert
Joel Vienneau (22-13-2-6) starts.
London:
Chris Tierney-Bo Horvat-Josh Anderson
Alex Broadhurst-Ryan Rupert-Brett Welychka
Matt Rupert-Max Domi-Seth Griffith
Remi Elie-Tyler Ferry-Kyle Platzer
Scott Harrington-Dakota Mermis
Olli Maatta-Tommy Hughes
Justin Sefton-Nikita Zadorov
Anthony Stolarz (4-0-1-0) starts.
Puck points:
- Tobias Rieder and Josh Leivo extended their point scoring streaks to 12 games. That's the longest active streak in the OHL
- Scary thought, London likely loses just three players next year - Scott Harrington, Tyler Ferry and Tommy Hughes. Maybe Seth Griffith.
- Five of six points for Kitchener this week in the OHL. With the win, the Rangers move into third spot in the western conference.
- Can't remember the last time the Rangers' fourth unit - Eric Ming, Curtis Meighan and Domenic Alberga - saw so much action. That's a good sign moving forward.
- Leivo and Rieder are turning into this year's Catenacci-Rieder combo. Two more points each for the top line players.
- That was the first time London goalie Anthony Stolarz started against a top team in the west. He's a big boy - 6-foot-6 - but still very raw. The playoffs are in sight and the Knights still don't have a No. 1 netminder in place.
- The Rangers managed just two shots on a five-minute power play. Plain and simple, the PP has to improve.
- Conversely, London's power play was the complete opposite - smooth passing, busy and successful.
- After the game, London leading scorer Seth Griffith admitted that Rangers' overager Domenic Alberga got under his skin and threw him off his game.
JB's top three Rangers: Tobias Rieder, Joel Vienneau, Josh Leivo
