Rangers Report

Blaisdell keen to crack Rangers

Spring camp continues today at the Activa Sportsplex with a few scrimmages between the 30-plus Kitchener Rangers' draft picks and free agents.

Games get under way from 10 a.m. to noon and 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.

I caught up with Rangers' third round selection Doug Blaisdell yesterday. The Dearborn Heights, MI native looks like he could step in right away on his size alone.

He had his eye on the Rangers even before the club chose him earlier this month in the OHL draft.

Like first rounder Mike Davies, he has yet to ink a deal with the club but GM/coach Steve Spott said he expects both to make the team for next season.

Really, at this point, it might just be a formality as the team likes to space out its signings to give each pick their day in the spotlight with club issued press releases et al.

The mystery will be whether the team signs later picks and free agents. There could be a few spots up for grabs come fall.

Thanks to Record photographer Pete Lee for the photo of Matt Greenfield doing the fit test yesterday at camp.

Spring camp kicks off

Doesn't it feel as though the Kitchener Rangers' season just ended about two weeks ago?

That's because it did.

But the team is already back at it. More than 30 draft picks and free agents converged at the Activa Sportsplex today for the annual spring prospects camp.

Players ran through a fit test and on-ice practice today and will scrimmage Saturday and Sunday. The games are open to the public (times are two posts below).

Unlike last year, returning players were also at the camp. I saw Ben Fanelli, Brent Pedersen, Josh Sterk, Justin Bailey, Max Iafrate, Darby Llewellyn, Curtis Meighan, Jack Moylan, Jared Gilbert, Owen Stewart, Evan McEneny and Ben Thomson among the group.

Of note, goalie Matt Greenfield was also there. The club has been very high on the netminder and is searching high and low for help between the pipes.

This year's top draft picks - Mike Davies and Doug Blaisdell - got to partake in their first team event. Both have yet to ink deals but are expected to be at the Aud in September.

My new favourite free agent Lord Anthony Grissom was there too. I didn't get a chance to speak with him but heard he's a creative defenceman, who attends a prestigious prep school in Detroit.

I've seen a few different spellings for his first name - the other is Lordanthony - but either way, he goes by L.A.

Year in review - March to April

A botched call, playoff action, a season ends and call ups to the AHL and beyond.

March:

1 – The official working the penalty box in Owen Sound refuses to let rookie Justin Bailey out of the box for an additional six seconds after his penalty had expired. In that time, the Attack tie the game 1-1 with the Rangers, five minutes shy of the final whistle and get a point by sending it to overtime.

8 – Kitchener loses to Saginaw 4-3 in a shootout, but it’s the first game since mid-December that John Gibson, Ryan Murphy, Radek Faksa, Tobias Rieder and Matt Puempel have all played in the same game.

9 – Defenceman Ben Fanelli is knocked out the action after taking a hit to the head from Saginaw’s Terry Trafford.

16 – The Rangers end the season with a 6-4 loss to the Soo Greyhounds.

18 – Ben Fanelli and Matt Puempel are named team co-MVPs at the year-end banquet.

22 – Kitchener opens the playoffs with a 5-2 win over Guelph in the OHL western conference quarter-finals.

29 – The Rangers knock Guelph out of the playoffs in five games with a 4-2 win at the Aud.

April:

6 – Kitchener selects Thorold’s Mike Davies 13^th overall in the first round of the OHL draft.

12- The London Knights defeat the Kitchener Rangers 4-1 to win the OHL western conference semifinal in five games.

14 – Ryan Murphy is called up to the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League. Frank Corrado, John Gibson, Josh Leivo, Matia Marcantuoni, Matt Puempel and Radek Faksa later join him in the minor pros.

22 - Frank Corrado makes his NHL debut with the Vancouver Canucks.

23 – Defenceman Ben Fanelli is named OHL humanitarian of the year.

25 - Goalie John Gibson finished second in voting for OHL goalie of the year. Owen Sound's Jordan Binnington wins the award after finishing with 60 voting points. Gibson had 57.

Spring camp rosters

Here is your chance to catch a glimpse of the future stars.

The Kitchener Rangers spring camp runs this weekend at Activa Sportsplex. It’s free and open to the public.

Practice runs from 3 to 5 p.m. Friday. Scrimmages are set for 10 a.m. to noon and 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday as well as 9-10:30 a.m. Sunday.

Team Blue

Forwards:

Jacob Cascagnette-Mark Bzowey-Darby Llewellyn
Ty Learn-Alex Friesen-James Mense-Dietrich
Nathan Hudgin-Jordan Chard-Chris Brill Morgan
Alex Gilmour

Defencemen:

Doug Blaisdell-Frank Hora
Quinn Wichers-Lord Anthony Grissom
Jake Schultz-Darius Gibson

Goalies:

Marcus Hlywka
Stefano Durante

Team White

Forwards:

Mike Davies-Mason Kohn-Kegan Blasby
Derek Rotter-Jeremy McFarlane-Chris Poletek
Mitchell Binnie-Cole Cummings-Adam Kawalec

Defencemen:

Scott Pedersen-Logan Schmidt
Danylo Znaczko-Brandon Kolaski
Ethan Spaxman-Mack Morissette

Goalie:

Izzy Benigno

Benoit up for Masterton

Former Rangers' blueliner Andre Benoit has been selected as the Ottawa Senators' rep for the Bill Masterton Trophy.

The award is given annually to the player who best shows perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.

Benoit played five years with the Rangers before taking jobs in Finland, Sweden, the KHL and the AHL. He finally earned a full-time gig with the Sens this season.

That's eight years of bouncing around before landing in the NHL as a regular. I'd say that's perseverance and dedication.

Here's more from the Ottawa Citizen.

Meanwhile, ex-forward David Clarkson, now with the New Jersey Devils, won the Joan Schatz-Belisle fundraising volunteer award this past weekend.

Clarkson was recognized for his work through the Kitchener Rangers' Clarky's Kids program. The charitable effort gives kids in the hospital a chance to take in a Rangers game and meet the players. It also raises money to help families who have children battling cancer.

Year in review - December to February

A big trade, a surprise call-up to the NHL and a bittersweet moment at the world junior hockey championships.

Dec:

13 – Captain Ryan Murphy makes team Canada’s world junior hockey team. John Gibson (USA), Tobias Rieder (GER) and Radek Faksa (CZE) also compete at the tournament.

28 – Kitchener loses 4-1 to the Barrie Colts to finish the month without a win on home ice (0-4-0-2).

Jan:

5 – John Gibson backstops the United States to a 3-1 win over Sweden to win gold at the world junior hockey championships. Gibson is named tournament MVP, best goaltender and an all-star.

8 – Kitchener sends Nick Czinder, an eighth round pick in 2013 and a fourth round pick in 2015 to Peterborough for Derek Schoenmakers and a tenth rounder in 2013.

8 – The Rangers trade Cory Genovese, Franky Palazzese, Matt Schmalz, a sixth pick in 2013, fourth in 2014, seventh rounder in 2014 and a first round import draft selection in 2013 to Sudbury for Josh Leivo, Frank Corrado, Joel Vienneau, a first round import pick in 2013, sxith selection in 2015 and an eighth pick in 2013.

18 – Matt Puempel returns to action after missing 16 of the past 17 games with a shoulder injury.

20 – Josh Leivo scores the game-winning goal to lead Kitchener to a 5-4 OT victory against Sudbury. It was the team’s first game against the Wolves since the Jan. 8^th trade.

26 – Backup goalie Jack Moylan gets his first win in his first start of the season with a 4-1 decision against the Erie Otters.

Feb:

3 – Kitchener pounds the Erie Otters 11-4 marking the first time the team had scored double digit goals since 2010. The game marks coach Steve Spott’s 200^th win.

10 – The Rangers edge the London Knights 4-3 to move within eight points of the OHL’s top team.

15 – Kitchener loses 3-2 to Plymouth in a shootout, marking the 13^th time this season the team has gone to the shootout.

21 – Captain Ryan Murphy is called up to the Carolina Hurricanes.

28 – Murphy is sent back to the Rangers after a four-game stint with the ‘Canes.

Year in review - October to November

A rookie makes his mark. A blueliner notches his first OHL goal in a comeback season. And a "new" arena opens its doors.

Oct:

6 – Darby Llewellyn scores the team’s first even strength goal six games into the season.

14 – Ottawa hands Kitchener its fourth consecutive loss in a 6-2 rout.

19 – The newly renovated Aud opens its doors and the Rangers christen the building with a 6-2 win over the Oshawa Generals.

21 – Ryan Murphy picks up a goal and two assists to cap an eight-point run over his previous three games.

23 – Matt Puempel and Ryan Murphy are named to Team OHL for the Subway Super Series exhibition series against Russia.

29 – Overage defenceman Ryan Hanes is traded to Kingston for a seventh round draft pick.

Nov:

11 – Matt Puempel pots his 100^th OHL goal as Kitchener defeats Oshawa 2-1.

16 – Evan McEneny scores his first OHL goal in a 3-1 win over Erie to extend Kitchener’s unbeaten streak to six games.

17 – The Rangers lose their first home game of the season to London 5-4, snapping a nine game winning streak at the Aud.

23 – Franky Palazzese earns his first OHL shut out in Kitchener’s 5-0 win over Sarnia.

24 – Rookie Darby Llewellyn leaves the game with a concussion after being hit by Erie’s Johnny McGuire. The OHL reviews the hit but issues no suspension.

Corrado earns third star

It was quite the NHL debut for - I suppose it's safe to say former - Rangers blueliner Frank Corrado.

The Woodbridge native suited up for the Vancouver Canucks last night in the team's 3-1 win against the Chicago Blackhawks. Corrado played more than 17 minutes, blocked a shot, had three hits and was named the game's third star.

The defenceman got the call due to injuries but is making a bid to stay on with the team. Not to mention, making the Canucks look like geniuses for selecting him in the fifth round of the 2011 NHL draft.

Needless to say, Corrado was fairly pumped about the game.

Fanelli honoured by OHL

Kitchener Rangers defenceman Ben Fanelli was named the OHL's humanitarian of the year Monday afternoon.

Fanelli is the first Rangers recipient of the Dan Snyder Memorial Torphy - given annually to a player who is a positive role model in the community.

"It is an honour to receive an award that shows the importance of putting in the effort not only on the ice and at the rink but in our community," Fanelli said in a news release.

Fanelli, 20, has worked hard to raise funds and awareness for head injuries through his program Head Strong: Fanelli 4 Brain Injury Awareness. To date, the program has contributed more than $18,000 for the Brain Injury Association of Canada, among other groups.

Fanelli's hockey career almost ended three years ago when he suffered a serious brain injury after being hit into the end boards at the Aud. The Oakville native capped a remarkable comeback by returning to the ice after a two year layoff and was one of the most consistent Rangers this season.

Fanelli will be the OHL's nominee for humanitarian of the year at the annual CHL awards May 25.

Corrado off to the show

It's a big day for Kitchener Rangers defenceman Frank Corrado, who was called up by the Vancouver Canucks.

Corrado left for the Canucks' farm team in Chicago after the Rangers were eliminated from post-season play. He had two assists in three games for the Wolves, who didn't qualify for the AHL playoffs.

Corrado was a fifth round selection by the Canucks in the 2011 NHL draft.

He had 18 points in 28 games for the Rangers after coming to town via trade with the Sudbury Wolves midway through the season.

Year in review - June to September

We'll look back at the season that was this week with some key moments from the Kitchener Rangers' 50th anniversary season.

Of course, I'll continue to post fresh news as it arises.

Today we look at June through September.

June:

27 – Kitchener trades winger Zach Lorentz and two second round draft picks to Peterborough for forward Matt Puempel.

July:

11 – The Rangers sue the Michigan Daily for $1 million over a story that alleged the club offered to pay defenceman Jacob Trouba $200,000 to report to Kitchener.

Sept:

5 – The Rangers acquire forward Domenic Alberga from Sarnia for a sixth round draft pick.

7 – Windsor sends forward Nick Czinder, defenceman Jeff Braitwaite and a seventh round pick for Juri Bezuch and a conditional sixth round pick.

19 – Defenceman Stephen Midensky clears waivers and joins the Quebec Remparts in the QMJHL.

21 – John Gibson makes 25 saves as the Rangers blank the Mississauga Steelheads 3-0 in their season opener.

NOTE: That's Nick Czinder duking it out in the photo. Interesting note - he had nine points in 31 games with the Rangers but 23 in 26 games after being traded to the Peterborough Petes.

Gibson makes AHL debut

Here are some highlights from John Gibson's debut with the AHL's Norfolk Admirals on Friday night.

The former Kitchener Rangers goalie came in after the first period and allowed three goals on 21 shots. The Admirals lost 6-1 to Syracuse.

 

Meanwhile, it was another assist for Josh Leivo with the Toronto Marlies. Leivo now has two points in two games since he was called up. The Marlies beat Rochester 4-1.

Blueliner Frank Corrado also chipped in again Friday with an assist, giving him two points in two games for the Chicago Wolves, who won 5-2 over Lake Erie Friday.

Charlotte defenceman Ryan Murphy got his first AHL point with an assist in Friday's 6-4 loss to Milwaukee.

Radek Faksa hit the ice for the Texas Stars but was minus-2 in his debut in a 4-3 loss to Houston.

Matia Marcantuoni (WB Scranton) and Matt Puempel (Binghamton) have yet to play since being summoned by their respective AHL clubs.

Words to remember

There were some memorable moments from the season gone by.

Some great goals, big hits and even bigger saves - at least at the Aud.

Amid the action, there were a few quotes that stood out as well. Some funny, others not so much.

Here is a collection from arenas around the league:

“@MONZY25: Soo Saint Marie, two words, Slim Pickens. #noteeth #hicktown #allfaties”

- A Tweet from OHL referee Joe Monette, who was later suspended for the remainder of the season because of the comment.

“You work too hard; you work way too hard for that. First of all, the clock ... then we kill three five-on-threes-against and they call it diving when our guy got two-handed in the male parts.”

- Scott Walker, Guelph coach, as told to the Guelph Mercury after a 3-2 loss to Kitchener.

“When Dallas sent me a plane ticket for camp it came with a return ticket.”

- Kitchener Rangers centre Radek Faksa on not being surprised that he was sent back to the Rangers after attending Dallas Stars training camp.

“Then they started playing some twisted version of hide-and-go-seek. By 10 p.m. it was getting more obnoxious.”

- Laurie-Anne Manel, as told to the Kingston Whig-Standard, on the conduct of some London Knights players staying in her Kingston hotel. Manel was with her 15-year-old daughter Paige, who was competing in the Canada Cup fencing tournament at the Royal Military College. She added that the Knights were banging on walls, playing in the showers and having pillow fights in the hallway.

“Just kids playing around, wrestling and stuff. They were probably a little too loud.”

- London coach Dale Hunter, to the Kingston Whig-Standard, explaining the behaviour of his players at the hotel on said road trip.

“It’s possible.”

- Former CHLPA head Glenn Gumbley, on whether a union organizer could have contacted a media outlet posing as Derek Clarke, as told to the Toronto Star.

“I came into this league with hair. We’ll leave it at that.”

- Kitchener Rangers GM/coach Steve Spott on whether it was easy reaching the 200 win milestone as a head coach.

“They’re the New York Yankees of the OHL.”

- Plymouth Whalers GM/coach Mike Vellucci on the London Knights leading up to the OHL western conference final.

Locals eye Cup

The OHL playoffs are done for the Kitchener Rangers.

But there are still plenty of players with ties to the region who are playing meaningful hockey.

Waterloo native Kyle Platzer is with the London Knights. He’ll face former Rangers winger, and fellow Waterlooian Zach Lorentz, now with the Plymouth Whalers.

Over in the east, Kitchener’s Mark Scheifele leads the Barrie Colts against Belleville in the conference final.

Manning the Bulls’ blue line is Kitchener native Adam Bignell.

***

Meanwhile, in the AHL, it was a successful debut for a pair of Rangers.

Blueliner Frank Corrado had an assist for the Chicago Wolves in his first game, while winger Josh Leivo also added a helper in the Toronto Marlies' 2-1 win.

Defenceman Ryan Murphy was held off the scoresheet but was +2 for the Charlotte Checkers.

***

I also caught up with Rangers' fourth round pick Jacob Cascagnette yesterday at the news conference for the Gold Cup.

The eight-team tourney is running at Sportsworld in May and will feature the OHL's top draft picks.

Cascagnette was flanked by top picks Dylan Strome and Travis Konecny at the presser. It has been a busy two weeks for the kid since being selected.

As for Kitchener picks in the Cup, it's Cascagnette (4th round, Alliance), Mike Davies (1st round, OMHA black) and Jeremy McFarlane (12th round, ODHA).

On the Spott

A few days have passed since the Kitchener Rangers were eliminated from the post-season.

And coach/GM Steve Spott opened up on a variety of issues surrounding the club - from what went wrong to next year's squad.

He even addressed his future with the team, since those rumours that he is imminently leaving to join the New Jersey Devils as an assistant coach have popped up yet again. (Note, these rumours have been going around since he took over the job five years ago and always gain steam when the team is out of the playoffs).

I realize Spott has his critics. Some fans have long called for his head on this blog. It's not my place to pick one side or the other.

From a media standpoint, he has always been willing to talk about the team and answer questions. And, in my world, you can't ask for anything more.

***

More Kitchener Rangers are AHL-bound.

Josh Leivo joined the Toronto Marlies today while goalie John Gibson is off to the Norfolk Admirals.

Matia Marcantuoni will suit up for Wilkes-Barre Scranton.

More signings

Ex-Kitchener Rangers captain Ryan Murphy is the latest player to join the AHL.

The blueliner is with the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League and will ink an amateur tryout contract with the club as it hits the road in Peoria Tuesday. The club also plays Milwaukee Friday and is back in Peoria Saturday.

Meanwhile, Matt Puempel will suit up for the Binghamton Senators (AHL) and Radek Faksa is off to Texas after being called up by the Dallas Stars.

In the not-so-shocking department, the Rangers named goalie J ohn Gibson playoff MVP today.

Gibson deserved to win the team's regular season MVP award, along with Joel Vienneau and Franky Palazzese as well. On most nights this year, it was the goaltending that stood out.

***

This evening, Tobias Rieder inked a three-year entry level contract with the Phoenix Coyotes. Rieder was originally drafted by the Edmonton Oilers but was traded to the Desert Dogs late last month.

Silver lining

The end of the season means no more hockey at the Aud.

But for some Kitchener Rangers, the game goes on. And the exodus began today.

Defenceman Frank Corrado was called up to the Chicago Wolves, Vancouver's AHL farm team. The Wolves are two points out of a playoff spot.

Expect more players to follow in the coming days.

Rangers' season over

There will be no dramatic comeback for the Kitchener Rangers.

Friday, the OHL's defending champs did what they had to - cap the west semifinal in five games with a 4-1 home ice win.

And with it, they eliminated any chance of a Rangers' rally.

Let's be honest, it was a disappointing 50th anniversary season. Fans, media and coaches thought this team would go further.

GM/coach Steve Spott was pretty candid after the game. In assessing what didn't work, he said they had some players who had tough years and added that the coaching staff may have overestimated the production they could
get out of a few players.

He didn't single anyone out. But after solid rookie/sophomore seasons, a natural progression from Radek Faksa, Matia Marcantuoni, Brent Pedersen and Josh Sterk was expected. The foursome combined for 54 goals last year and only 36 this season.

Faksa dealt with injuries throughout the year. Marcantuoni's role switched from scoring winger to checking centre midway through the schedule. Pedersen and Sterk found chemistry on a line with Justin Bailey but never found consistency over 68 games.

That's not to say that the four players didn't advance in other aspects of their games. Because they did. It just didn't translate to the scoring sheet and that, combined with a host of other things, is one reason the team underperformed.

With goalie John Gibson and defenceman Ryan Murphy, the staff felt like it was a year to try and go for it and admitted as much all year. Spott stood by that decision until the end.

"We're not going to regret the moves that we made because being our 50th season I thought we owed it to our fans to try and give our team the best chance to win," he said. "It didn't work out."

As for the deciding game, Spott said the Rangers needed their best players to be the best on the ice and team discipline and the club didn't get it in Game 5.

As for next year?

"Program sales are going to be high," said Spott. "There are going to be a lot of new faces and a new group of guys. We're going to bring in some young kids and start this again."

Lots of big names are leaving, as detailed below in the game recap. Among them is captain Ryan Murphy.

"He's a guy we brought in as the third overall pick," said Spott. "He's a tremendous captain, leader and an emotional player. We'll miss him obviously."

So what's next?

The Rangers have five solid defencemen returning, which is a plus.

The forward group of Justin Bailey, Marcantuoni, Pedersen, Sterk and Darby Llewellyn will need to take big steps in their development.

Ben Fanelli and Eric Ming give the club two solid OAs.

I think it's safe to say that Ryan Murphy, John Gibson and Matt Puempel will not be back. But the squad may get lucky and get one or more of Radek Faksa, Ben Thomson, Josh Leivo, Frank Corrado and Tobias Rieder back, which would give them options in the trade market and/or depth.

Picks Mike Davies and Doug Blaisdell, among others, are going to get big playing time and could surprise. Some interesting late American picks from this year's draft could also make an impact.

And there could be one or two new imports at the Aud, if Faksa or Rieder or both move on.

If all those things go right, it could be an interesting year. Not first place interesting, but the team could at least make the playoffs and win a round or more.

The other option? A complete rebuild. And I'm talking about parting ways with older assets and building around players born in 1995 or later.

Either way, it will certainly be an exciting off-season.

Game 5 - London 4, Kitchener 1

It could all end tonight, or it might be the beginning of a remarkable comeback.

It's up to the Kitchener Rangers to determine their own fate.

They'll get a bit of help in advance of tonight's Game 5 vs. the London Knights, who lead the best-of-seven series 3-1.

Knights forward Matt Rupert is out for the game and listsed as week-to-week with a lower body injury. That's a big loss for London. The Free Press says Brett Welychka may be back after sitting out with a concussion.

Tonight's game (7:30 p.m.) will be broadcast on Sportsnet.

***

Kitchener:

Matt Puempel-Radek Faksa-Eric Ming
Ben Thomson-Matia Marcantuoni-Derek Schoenmakers
Josh Leivo-Josh Sterk-Justin Bailey
Domenic Alberga-Curtis Meighan-Darby Llewellyn

Ben Fanelli-Frank Corrado
Evan McEneny-Ryan Murphy
Max Iafrate-Jared Gilbert

John Gibson (5-4) starts.

London:

Max Domi-Chris Tierney-Alex Broadhurst
R. Rupert-Bo Horvat-Seth Griffith
Tyler Ferry-Kyle Platzer-Josh Anderson
Paxton Leroux-Brett Welychka

Olli Maatta-Tommy Hughes
Scott Harrington-Nikita Zadorov
Justin Sefton-Dakota Mermis

Anthony Stolarz (7-1) starts.

Game summary (London wins best-of-seven series 4-1)

***

Puck points:

- Forward Tobias Rieder did not make the trip to London. He broke his hand in Game 4 Wednesday.

- Rangers' forward Brent Pedersen missed his second straight game with a shoulder injury.

- The Knights had two 5-on-3 advantages for a combined 1:32 in the first period and cashed in one PP goal on an Olli Maatta tip.

- Lots of tears coming out of the Rangers' dressing room. Some of the players will be off to join AHL and perhaps even NHL franchises in the coming days.

- I thought London goalie Anthony Stolarz was just good, not exceptional, throughout the series. But boy did he deliver in the third period. Tonight may have been his best game.

- Kitchener came out flat and didn't seem to get energized until after Eric Ming's marker late in the second period.

- Coach/GM Steve Spott admitted the club may have underestimated the offensive production it was going to get from some players this season. Spott also tipped his hat to London, which was a classy thing to do.

- Ready for this list? These are the players who may be gone next year: Derek Schoenmakers, Joel Vienneau, Domenic Alberga, Ryan Murphy, John Gibson, Ben Thomson, Tobias Rieder, Radek Faksa, Josh Leivo, Matt Puempel and Frank Corrado.

- Here is some good news moving foward. Four of the top six defenceman (and the seventh) are back - Ben Fanelli, Max Iafrate, Jared Gilbert and Evan McEneny (and Owen Stewart). Of the lot, I think Iafrate is going to have a breakout season and become a shut down guy who puts up his best offensive year.

- More good news - Justin Bailey is the real deal. He charges hard to the net and fans know that is something the Rangers desperately need.

- Also excited to see how Darby Llewellyn evolves with more playing time and a bigger role. It was good for him to get in a post-season game this early in his career.

- There is also a decent chance that Czech import Radek Faksa returns for his third year with the Rangers.

JB's final top three Rangers: John Gibson, Ryan Murphy, Eric Ming

Must win mode

The headline kind of says it all.

There is no more room for error for the Kitchener Rangers in the OHL western conference semifinals.

The Rangers need to win the next three games - two of them in London - if they want to stay alive in the playoffs.

It's a tough position to be in, tougher after last night's 4-3 OT loss. Especially, since the Rangers had the Knights right where they wanted them - down heading into the third period.

Kitchener looked good throughout the game but came out flat in overtime. London OT hero Chris Tierney pounced for his second playoff extra frame decider and now the Knights can clinch on home ice Friday in Game 5.

It's old cliche time for the Rangers - one game at a time.

Winning three straight against the OHL's best team seems pretty improbable at this point. And it's too bad, because the Rangers have played the Knights well so far in this series.

London may be without forward Matt Rupert, who left Wednesday's game with an apparent leg injury.