Rangers Report

Injuries mounting

It's turning into a rough week for the Kitchener Rangers.

Rookie forward Nick Magyar went hard into the end boards at the Kiwanis Arena during practice today and had to be helped off the ice. He had the weight off his left leg after suffering an ankle injury.

He's not the only one down.

Centre Radek Faksa missed practice for a maintenance day after hurting his leg this past Friday against Windsor. He'll be a game-time decision tomorrow in Guelph.

Freshman blueliner Dmitrii Sergeev is out with a hip/groin issue and won't dress against the Storm.

And prospect Kegan Blasby is on the shelf long term with what appears to be a broken shoulder suffered while with the Jr. B Kitchener Dutchmen.

But there is some good news. Rookie defenceman Doug Blaisdell has been pratising this week and will be a game-time decision tomorrow. He has missed the past 11 games with a shoulder injury.

Spott on in Toronto

I had a chance to catch up with former Rangers' GM/coach Steve Spott yesterday.

As it turns out, it has been a smooth transition for him with the Toronto Marlies. The AHL club is 5-3 and in first place in the North Division.

The biggest differences, he noted, is the speed, skill and professionalism of the players. He said he doesn't have to motivate them daily and that the margin for error is slim at this level -- "every game is like a Game 7, they're that important."

He still talks to current GM Murray Hiebert and keeps an eye on the Rangers. He certainly sympathizes with rebuilding phase. After all, he went through the same thing when he took over from Peter DeBoer a year after going to the Memorial Cup final in 2008-09.

The club went 26-37-0-3 that year and missed the post-season.

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If you missed the Tweet yesterday, Rangers' goalie prospect Matt Greenfield collected his third shutout in the past four starts for the Jr. B Kitchener Dutchmen.

The Dutchies have won 13 straight games and Greenfield's numbers are disgusting - 6-0, 0.83 GAA and a .973 save percentage.

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Speaking of goalies, Jack Moylan was traded to the Sudbury Wolves for a 15th round pick in 2014.

He joins ex-Rangers forward Matt Schmalz, goalie Franky Palazzese and former associate coach/assistant GM Paul Fixter in the Big Nickel.

Moylan was an eighth round pick in 2011 and became expendable when the club acquired goalie Jordan DeKort earlier this month.

The next Ranger?

If the OHL season ended today, the Kitchener Rangers would have the first overall pick in the 2014 draft.

I doubt that will hold up once the final 56 games are in the books.

But here are six names getting some hype ahead of the 2014 OHL draft. The top five are from The Scout.ca's top ten list. The last one is a player who has caught the Rangers' eye.

Jakob Chychrun, Toronto Jr. Canadiens
Position: Defence
Size: 6-2, 190 pounds
Stats: Eight goals, eight assists in 10 games. Sixth in GTHL scoring, not bad for a blueliner.

Mike McLeod, Toronto Marlboros
Position: Forward
Size: 6-0, 165 pounds
Stats: 21 points in 13 games is good for second in GTHL scoring race.

Logan Brown, Indiana Jr. Ice
Position: Forward
Size: 6-4, 201 pounds
Stats: 19 points in first nine games, 11 goals, eight assists.

Victor Mete, Toronto Jr. Canadiens
Position: Defence
Size: 5-7, 160 pounds
Stats: 12 points in 12 games.

Adam Mascherin, Vaughan Kings
Position: Centre
Size: 5-9, 165 pounds
Stats: 14 points in first 10 games.

Max Jones, Honeybaked U18
Position: Forward
Size: 6-0, 183 pounds
Stats: Tough to find, but he had four points through his first six games.

The OHL 10

An ever evolving name for this segment but this one is here to stay.

Can't commit to a certain day with all my weekend work and fluctuating days off. But enough about me, how about the OHL?

1. Yes, that was Josh Sterk scoring and adding three assists in Oshawa's 5-4 win over Niagara yesterday. That's 20 points for Sterk now. Across the ice, ex-Ranger Eric Ming scored and notched an assist, to give him nine points in nine games. They'd be one and three in Rangers scoring with their current numbers.

2. It's official - the Rangers now have the lowest points not just in the western conference, but in the entire OHL. Kitchener also ranks last in goals scored, has the worst power play and the longest current losing streak (four games). But the club is only fifth worst in penalty killing.

3. Erie's Connor Brown leads the OHL in scoring with 31 point but watch out for teammate Connor McDavid who is only three points back. C-Mac has seven points in his past three games.

4. The London Knights are hosting the Memorial Cup right? Just checking. The mighty Knights have lost five of their past six games. Their sole win came against Kitchener. Never thought three west teams would be ahead of London at this point. Meanwhile, it looks like London has inked German defender Tim Bender to help fill the void left by Olli Maatta.

5. Instead of taking in the Windsor-Kitchener game on Friday, Spits GM Warren Rychel was scouting the Guelph Storm game. His son Kerby is catching interest from a ton of teams. Problem is, Windsor - winners of four straight - is right in the playoff picture.

6. The only plus players on Kitchener? Frank Hora +6 (in photo), Darby Llewellyn +3, Logan Schmidt +2, Doug Blaisdell +1 and Kegan Blasby +1.  Four rookies and a sophomore.

7. Rangers goalie prospect Matt Greenfield hasn't started for the Jr. B Kitchener Dutchmen since posting back to back shutouts ending Oct. 8. Starter Marc Williams has gone 4-0 since then.

8. Best story of the year so far in the OHL? Erie going worst to first. Just shows you how quick things can turn around. Other early surprises - Oshawa in first in the east and the Soo with one regulation loss.

9. Hey, major kudos for the Rangers' Grow a Mo in November campaign. But with so many youngsters on the squad this year, perhaps Mo should be mohawk.

10. How is this for a tough conference? Erie has won 10 straight, the Soo seven straight and Guelph has seven wins and one shootout loss in the past eight games. Yikes.

Time to hit the road

Let's file that one away and move on shall we?

It was an ugly 5-3 loss to Windsor last night, especially since the Rangers were in control and up 3-0 with 21 minutes to go.

As usual, full marks to the club for the stellar Remembrance Day pre-game ceremony. A lot of dough will be raised for good causes from the game-worn jerseys too.

On the ice, that's another story. Perhaps it's a good thing the team will be on the road until Nov. 15.

If things keep falling, you have to wonder when the club will make some trades (and how many).

In talking to Windsor staff, they still figure they might have a shot at a playoff run. This coming from one of the lower ranked teams in the west, which just shows you how many potential buyers are out there.

Toss in the fact that Erie, Guelph and the Soo are looking like legit competitors, that the eastern conference is wide open, that London isn't living up to its pre-season billing and that there are two, not one, spots available in the Memorial Cup and you have one of the best sellers markets in years.

Kitchener could make out handsomely.

But I think the team at least owes it to itself to see how things shake down after this three week road stretch. It is still early after all. Besides, assets only gain value the closer we get to the January trade deadline.

Here are some extra shots from last night's game.

Windsor 5, Kitchener 3

No rest for the Kitchener Rangers who are right back at it after losing 3-0 to London last night at the Bud Gardens.

It was the Blueshirts' third straight loss and sixth in the past seven games. That has Kitchener in last place in the OHL's western conference. Captain Ben Fanelli says the club doesn't feel like basement dwellers and to be fair they played London pretty hard last night, at least after the first period.

The Rangers catch a break tonight in that the Spits also played last night, albeit they pasted Owen Sound 7-3 and are unbeaten in two games.

Kitchener currently sits four points out of the final playoff spot. Still lots of time on their side to make up the difference.

Here is how it shapes up tonight.

Kitchener:

Brent Pedersen-Radek Faksa-Justin Bailey
Scott Teskey-Matia Marcantuoni-Darby Llewellyn
Ben Thomson-Ryan MacInnis-Nick Magyar
Mike Davies-Curtis Meighan-Mason Kohn

Ben Fanelli-Evan McEneny
Max Iafrate-Jared Gilbert
Frank Hora-Dmitrii Sergeev

Jordan DeKort (1-6) starts.

Windsor:

Kerby Rychel-Remy Giftopoulos-Josh Ho-Sang
Ben Johnson-Brady Vail-Cristiano DeGiacinto
Ryan Verbeek-Steven Janes-Nikita Yazkov
Cam Hughes-Ryan Foss-Ty Bilcke

Slater Koekkoek-Nick Ebert
Trevor Murphy-Eric Diodati
Pat Sanvido-Graeme Brown

Alex Fotinos (5-0) starts.

Game summary

Puck points:

- Ex-Rangers associate coach/assistant GM Paul Fixter was named an assistant coach to London's Dale Hunter for Game 4 of the CHL Subway Series in Sudbury.

- Well that was quite the rally from Windsor. Down 3-0 in the final minute of the second period and the Spits pull off five straight goals.

- Windsor scribe Jim Parker summed it up best when he said that this doesn't look like the penalty killers of Rangers teams gone by.

- Plain and simple, you can't give any team eight PPs and expect to win.

- A tough loss too since Windsor is the type of team Kitchener needs to bury if it wants to grab one of the last playoff spots.

- That two goals in 16 seconds in the final minute of the second really changed the tide. Everything fell apart after that.

- Some players that were long overdue got some key points, namely Scott Teskey (A) and Ben Thomson (G, A).

- Coming into the game, Windsor's PP was one of the worst in the league.

JB's top three Rangers: Ben Thomson, Ben Fanelli, Matia Marcantuoni

London 3, Kitchener 0

The curse of the Rangers?

May be, for the London Knights. The Bud boys haven't won a game since clashing with Kitchener 10 days ago.

That one ended with a 3-2 overtime win for the Rangers. Since then, two additional losses for London.

But Kitchener hasn't won since that game too, going 0-2 and being outscored 12-5 in a pair of losses to Kingston and Guelph.

Ex-Knight Tyson Teichmann (3-4) gets the call in net. He picked up the win and looked great in the win against London earlier this season.

Meanwhile, the Knights woke up to this news: 

BREAKING: Olli Maatta will remain with #Pens. Ray Shero:"Based on his play, we believe this is the best decision for Olli & the Penguins..."

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) October 24, 2013

And let's not forget that Buffalo draft pick Nikita Zadorov (another Knights' defender) scored last night for the struggling Sabres.

The Hunters are not doubt on the hunt for blueline depth now. It'll be an interesting ride to the trade deadline now.

As for lines, here are Kitchener's combos:

Brent Pedersen-Radek Faksa-Justin Bailey
Darby Llewellyn-Matia Marcantuoni-Jimmy Soper
Ben Thomson-Ryan MacInnis-Nick Magyar
Mike Davies-Curtis Meighan-Mason Kohn

Ben Fanelli-Evan McEneny
Max Iafrate-Jared Gilbert
Frank Hora-Dmitrii Sergeev

Tyson Teichmann (3-4) starts.

London:

Matt Rupert-Bo Horvat-Kyle Platzer
Ryan Rupert-Chris Tierney-Josh Anderson
Max Domi-Brett Welychka-Michael McCarron
Paxton Leroux-Christian Dvorak-Mitch Marner
Tait Seguin

Miles Liberati-Brady Austin
Alex Basso-Dakota Mermis
Santino Centorame

Anthony Stolarz (6-1-1-0) starts.

Game summary

Puck points:

- Another gem for Tyson Teichmann against his former club. His two outings vs. London have been his best two games of the year. He made 44 saves tonight.

- Knights' blueliner Dakota Mermis was really giving it to Rangers' forward Justin Bailey in front of the net on the power play. Credit Bailey for keeping his cool.

- I counted six broken sticks in the game. Just crazy.

- Down two zip in the third and at least the Rangers came out on a mission. That's something to build off of while mired in a six losses in seven games stretch.

- Let's be clear. London goalie Anthony Stolarz deserved the shutout tonight. He was on point.

- Lots of line juggling in the past few games and you can't really blame coach Troy Smith. He's looking for chemistry. So far, nothing is really clicking.

- Game 10 for Jimmy Soper tonight means his OHL card kicks in and that he's likely here for the remainder of the season.

JB's top three Rangers: Brent Pedersen, Tyson Teichmann, Radek Faksa

Three up, three down

Another loss for the Kitchener Rangers Tuesday at the Aud.

This time, it was a 6-3 thrashing to the Guelph Storm. It could have been worse as the club was outplayed for most of the game.

It's a long season but the Rangers sit in last place in the OHL's western conference. There was going to be a step back this season after losing so many veterans but I'm not sure most figured they'd be basement dwellers.

So what's working and what's not? Here are three things on the up and downside.

Up:

1. In the past two games, three Rangers rookies have scored their first goals - Nick Magyar, Mike Davies and Mason Kohn. The latter two were riding fourth line minutes Tuesday. These guys are the future and now that they're getting past that milestone, perhaps the pressure is off a bit. As Davies said Tuesday, there is more to come.

2. Despite the on-slaught of late, rookie defenceman Frank Hora continues to hold a strong plus-minus (+5, one of only six players on the right side) and show signs that he belongs in the OHL.

3. The team needed Radek Faksa to have a big year and so far the Dallas Stars pick is delivering. He leads the club in goals with eight and points with 10. He's on pace for 46 goals.

Down:

1. Special teams are a mess. The power play is ranked 17th out of 20 teams and operating at 15.7 per cent. Penalty killing isn't much better with the Rangers at 15th in the league.

2. Scoring is becoming a massive issue. In the past six games, the Rangers are averaging fewer than two goals per game (in regulation).

3. Team defence should be the Rangers' strong point but so far it hasn't delivered. The club has allowed fewer than two goals just three times in 10 games. Four of the team's blueliners started last season and they all have playoff experience.

Guelph 6, Kitchener 3

A few pre-game notes before tonight's tilt against the surging Storm.

First, in case you missed it, former Rangers' blueliner Owen Stewart was traded by the London Knights to the Ottawa 67's for a 15th round pick in 2015.

Stewart was put on waivers by Kitchener and later claimed by the Knights earlier this season. Now, the Ottawa-area defenceman gets a chance to play near his hometown of Greely.

Also, I caught up with GM Murray Hiebert yesterday in the wake of the Jordan DeKort deal. He offered his thoughts on the crowded crease.

As for DeKort, he'll make his Rangers' debut tonight at the Aud.

Kitchener:

Justin Bailey-Radek Faksa-Ben Thomson
Brent Pedersen-Matia Marcantuoni-Darby Llewellyn
Jimmy Soper-Ryan MacInnis-Nick Magyar
Mike Davies-Curtis Meighan-Mason Kohn

Ben Fanelli-Max Iafrate
Evan McEneny-Jared Gilbert
Logan Schmidt-Frank Hora

Jordan Dekort (1-5) starts.

Guelph:

Brock McGinn-Robby Fabbri-Scott Kosmachuk
Jason Dickinson-Hunter Garlent-Zack Mitchell
Tyler Bertuzzi-Ryan Horvat-Brody Milne
Chadd Bauman-Pius Suter-Marc Stevens

Steven Trojanovic-Matt Finn
Garrett McFadden-Ben Harpur
Phil Baltisberger-Kyle Locke

Justin Nichols (7-1) starts.

Game summary

Puck points:

- Ben Thomson was wearing a Go-Pro during the warmup. Must be collecting footage for the next centre ice video.

- Mike Davies and Mason Kohn scored their  first OHL goals.

- The Rangers need to find a way to bottle the spurts of energy fast. They're there, just way too inconsistent.

- Time for veterans - other than Radek Faksa - to step up and pot a few goals. Justin Bailey, Brent Pedersen and Matia Marcantuoni have three goals combined in the past eight games.

- The power play was o-for-4. The team looked lost on the first two but sharper on the last pair.

- Credit Ryan MacInnis for saving a goal. He sprawled out on an open net opportunity for Guelph and made a key stop.

- Guelph's Brock McGinn tore up the Rangers with three goals and an assist. His second was scored from between his legs.

- The Rangers have now allowed six goals in back to back games.

- A special shout out to usher Max. Great to see him at the game and here's hoping he's back at his post in the stands soon.

JB's top three Rangers: Radek Faksa, Mason Kohn, Mike Davies

East Avenue news

Getting caught up on the happenings in Rangersland after a rare weekend off.

First, I see it was a 6-2 loss to Kingston on Friday. Rookie Nick Magyar picked up his first two goals of the season and now has five points in nine games, most by any Rangers freshman.

But the tough times continue for the club as it picked up its fourth loss in the past five games. Kitchener is one of the busier teams this week with games Tuesday vs Guelph, Thursday at London and Friday at home to Windsor.

***

Speaking of Windsor, the Rangers picked up ex-Spits netminder Jordan DeKort to give the club four goalies.

Going west is a sixth round pick in 2015 (originally Windsor's), obtained earlier this season from Oshawa in the Josh Sterk deal.

DeKort is 18, like Matt Greenfield (Jr. B) and Jack Moylan and has appeared in 35 games for the Spitfires over three seasons, winning four times. The team also has overage goalie Tyson Teichmann in the crease.

Greenfield improved to 5-0 after the Dutchies bested Brantford 4-1 on Sunday.

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Matia Marcantuoni has inked a three-year entry level deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins.The centre was a fourth round selection by the Penguins in the 2012 draft. Marcantuoni has three goals and three assists in nine games so far this season.

***

Eric Ming has certainly settled in with the Niagara IceDogs. The overage winger has three points in three games since being traded last week. With Ming gone, Radek Faksa now has an 'A' on his sweater.

***

The bad news? Kitchener is last in the OHL's western conference. The good news? The squad has at least two games in hand on every team.

Ming Niagara-bound

The Kitchener Rangers have cleared up their OA situation by sending Eric Ming to the Niagara IceDogs for a pair of draft picks.

The Rangers get a fourth round pick in 2015 and a ninth round selection in next year.

Ming was the odd man out since the New Jersey Devils returned Ben Thomson to the Rangers earlier this season.

The Williamstown native was a seventh round pick in 2009 and had three points in three games this season.

Kitchener's three remaining OAs include Thomson, goalie Tyson Teichmann and captain Ben Fanelli.

Ming had been a healthy scratch for the team's past five games. GM Murray Hiebert added that he has been professional throughout the entire situation.

 

CHL top ten - Week 5

The CHL released its top ten today.

1. Blainville-Boisbriand (10-0-1-0)
2. London Knights (7-1-1-0)
3. Spokane Chiefs (8-2)
4. Kingston Frontenacs (7-1-0-1)
5. Medicine Hat Tigers (7-1-1-0)
6. Seattle Thunderbirds (8-2)
7. Charlottetown Islanders (8-2-0-1)
8. Guelph Storm (6-3)
9. Kelowna Rockets (5-1-0-2)
10. Rimouski Oceanic (7-3-0-1)

Honourable mention: Victoriaville Tigres (8-3-1-0), Soo Greyhounds (6-1-0-1), Prince Albert Raiders (7-4-1-0).

The Wednesday 10

A day late, but here nonetheless.

1. A seventh - or so - of the way through the season and I'm not sure too many folks would have two Erie Otters and two Niagara IceDogs occupying the top four spots on the OHL scoring race. But there they are - Connor Brown, Erie (22), Brendan Perlini, Nia (19), Dane Fox, Erie (18) and Carter Verhaeghe, Erie  (18).

2. There are currently no Kitchener Rangers among the OHL top 20. The last time a Blueshirt didn't finish in that list? 1998-99 season. Sarnia's Peter Sarno won the title that year with 130 points.

3. Yeah, it's still early, but as of now, nobody is out of the post-season race. It this keeps up, it will make for a very interesting lead up to the trade deadline.

4. Most penalized team in the OHL? No surprise, the Owen Sound Attack (210). Most gentlemanly? The Soo Greyhounds (107). Kitchener comes in at 108.

5. The rough start continues for ex-Rangers netminder Franky Palazzese, whose 5.01 GAA is the worst among in the league among qualified starters.

6. Not only is Rangers d-man Frank Hora tops on the team in plus-minus (+6), but he's 20th in the OHL.

7. Over in London, in the wake of the loss to Kitchener, beat writer Ryan Pyette talks about how the Knights are lacking a money-in-the-bank scorer. Pretty sure most OHL teams would take any of London's third liners for their top unit. #knightsproblems.

8. How deep is the OHL's western conference? Every team but Windsor won or picked up a point in their last game.

9. Speaking of those Spits, I'd imagine Kerby Rychel and Brady Vail are getting lots of looks, especially by teams in the east.

10. Most disappointing start goes to the Barrie Colts who won three of four to open the season but have dropped their past five games.

Rangers redemption

It's a small step, but it felt good for the Rangers.

Kitchener got some revenge on the London Knights -- a team that has knocked the Blueshirts out of the post-season the past two years -- by edging its rivals 3-2 Friday at the Aud.

It was a nice comeback win that had the Rangers scoring one goal in the waning minutes and one in overtime for a big two points.

Interestingly, if they beat Kingston on Friday, they'll have knocked off the best of the west and east in back to back games.

A tall order indeed.

But so far, Kitchener hasn't had a problem with CHL top ten teams and honourable mentions beating second ranked London and HM Oshawa Generals.

Here are a few bonus shots from the game by staff photog Mat McCarthy (Jimmy Soper flying through the air, Ben Thomson being escorted to the box, Ryan MacInnis celebrating a goal and Evan McEneny blocking a shot).

Kitchener 3, London 2 (OT)

Straight from the Oktoberfest parade to the Aud.

Rangers nation is no doubt hoping to continue the celebration with a win over the scorching hot London Knights - winners of five straight.

How about some good news for the Rangers, losers of three consecutive games? Forward Mike Davies did not receive additional punishment from the OHL for his Friday night slew foot against Erie and is back in the line-up.

Kitchener:

Ben Thomson-Matia Marcantuoni-Justin Bailey
Brent Pedersen-Radek Faksa-Nick Magyar
Jimmy Soper-Rob MacInnis-Darby Llewellyn
Mike Davies-Curtis Meighan-Scott Teskey

Ben Fanelli-Evan McEneny
Jared Gilbert-Frank Hora
Dmitrii Sergeev-Logan Schmidt

Tyson Teichmann (2-3) starts.

London:

Matt Rupert-Bo Horvat-Ryan  Rupert
Max Domi-Chris Tierney-Josh Anderson
Brett Welychka-Kyle Platzer-Michael McCarron
Jacob Jammes-Christian Dvorak-Mitchell Marner

Dakota Mermis-Alex Basso
Miles Liberati-Brady Austin
Aiden Jamieson-Santino Centorame

Anthony Stolarz (6-0-0-1) starts.

Game summary

Puck points:

- No Owen Stewart tonight. The former Kitchener Rangers defenceman is pointless in three games since being claimed off waivers by the Knights. He should see more ice time when/if the Knights lose players to the world junior championships.

- Rangers goalie Tyson Teichmann played four games for the Knights two years back, going 1-1. It's one of five teams the netminder has suited up for during his OHL career.

- Been a while since Ben Thomson lost a scrap (if ever?). But London's Josh Anderson clearly took the first period tilt. That being said, Thomson certainly was a thorn in the Knights' side and that tilt seemed to wake up the Rangers.

- This is the reality of this year's Rangers. They'll cough up a few to teams they should beat and then knock off one of the country's top teams. Gotta be heart attack city for coach Troy Smith.

- Yes, Radek Faksa has seven goals and one assist. Perhaps my guess of 30 goals on the season was low.

- Both London goals came of mental mistakes by Kitchener - one on the bench minor for too many men, the other when Chris Tierney snuck past the d-line for a breakaway.

- Best game this season by Tyson Teichmann in net. I don't understand all the criticism he gets from fans. He made some huge saves today. London staff next to me in pressbox were wowed a few times.

- I keep getting more and more impressed with rookie Frank Hora on defence. He will be a two-top guy in no time. Another plus-one for the kid.

- Seriously, how huge is Michael McCarron? Man-mountain.

- I counted at least three posts by the Knights in this one. And that's tough for Knights' fans.

JB's top three Rangers: Ryan MacInnis, Ben Thomson, Tyson Teichmann

Erie 4, Kitchener 0

A couple of bodies will be sitting nightly up front for the Kitchener Rangers, as long as the team stays healthy.

Tonight, it's forwards Scott Teskey and Eric Ming getting a rest.

The rest of the lines shake down like this:

Justin Bailey-Matia Marcantuoni-Brent Pedersen
Ben Thomson-Radek Faksa-Mike Davies
Darby Llewellyn-Ryan MacInnis-Nick Magyar
Mason Kohn-Curtis Meighan-Jimmy Soper

Ben Fanelli-Evan McEneny
Max Iafrate-Jared Gilbert
Dmitrii Sergeev-Frank Hora

Tyson Teichmann (2-2) starts.

Erie:

Dane Fox-Connor McDavid-Connor Brown
Stephen Harper-Michael Curtis-Andre Burakovsky
Hayden Hodgson-Dylan Strome-Joel Wigle
Jake Evans-Kyle Pettit-Nick Betz

Adam Pelech-Darren Raddysh
Justin Felker-Spencer Abraham
Travis Dermott-Troy Donnay

Oscar Dansk (4-1-1-0) starts.

Game summary

Puck points:

- The Otters arrived late due to traffic and border issues. Puck drop is now 7:40 p.m.

- A tough one for rookie Mike Davies who received a match penalty for slew footing on Nick Betz. That comes with an automatic one game suspension and possibly more once reviewed by the league.

- Erie goalie Oscar Dansk was superb and earned a well-deserved first shutout of his OHL career. Save of the game came with two minutes in change in the third when he reached behind him to save a goal.

- Fans sure missed that exciting, fast-paced effort shown in other home games this season, even in defeat.

- Discipline, or a lack thereof, hurt in the third period. The Rangers, down 3-0, were still alive in the third but two minors to Max Iafrate and Radek Faksa ruined any momentum.

- Kitchener remains in the basement of the midwest division. Been a while since they were there. Still very early, on a positive note.

- Need some good news? The Dutchies won their ninth in a row, edging Stratford 4-3. Ty Learn chipped in with a goal.

- Tough to pick a top three Rangers. I liked the spunk of the fourth line so ...

JB's top three Rangers: Curtis Meighan, Mason Kohn, Jimmy Soper

Busy weekend ahead

This is perhaps the Rangers' toughest test this season. Three games in four days with no easy opponents.

Erie is on the rise, Plymouth always plays Kitchener tough and London, well, they may just never lose another game all season.

Speaking of those Knights, the last time the Rangers saw them it didn't end so well for the Blueshirts.

Max Domi scored an empty netter and then, to some, over-celebrated. It was the last memory for the Rangers of the 2013 playoffs.

Max Iafrate talked about the play and the Rangers say they've since moved on.

 

CHL top ten

The CHL released its weekly top ten yesterday.

The Fronts are moving up fast.

1. Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (8-0)
2. London Knights (5-1)
3. Spokane Chiefs (6-1)
4. Kingston Frontenacs (6-0-0-1)
5. Charlottetown Islanders (7-1-0-1)
6. Kelowna Rockets (5-1-0-1)
7. Prince Albert Raiders (6-2)
8. Guelph Storm (4-2)
9. Rimouski Oceanic (6-3)
10. Swift Current Broncos (5-1-0-1)

HM: Oshawa Generals (5-2), Gatineau Olympiques (6-3), Seattle Thunderbirds (6-2)

The Rangers have a win over one of the honourable mention teams (Osh) but have yet to play London, Kingston or Guelph this season.

Playing for Matteo

There are layers to Kitchener Rangers rookie Mike Davies.

The kid - 16 - is wise beyond his years. I really got some reflective thoughts from him on why he is dedicating this season to the memory of 12-year-old Matteo Mancini.

The Thorold youngster passed away after a battle with cancer this past May.

Davies had a special relationship with the son of his former coach.

It's nice to know it's not all about hockey for top draft picks.

***

There will be no additional penalty for Ben Thomson in the wake of his hit to the head on Cameron Brace Saturday in Owen Sound.

Thomson received a five minute major and a game misconduct after the play. The OHL reviewed the hit and deemed the punishment fair.

The right call from here.

***

How about that Matt Greenfield? The Florida lad is making it even more tempting to hit up a Kitchener Dutchies game.

Greenfield is riding back-to-back shutouts, his latest a 4-0 win over Cambridge. He is a perfect 4-0 and leads the GOJHL with a 1.oo goals against average. That was not a typo. His save percentage ain't half bad either at .965.

Did I mention the Rangers got Le Vert in the 12th round of the 2011 draft?

The plan, for now, is to keep getting him work with the Dutchies, according to GM Murray Hiebert. But the boss did say fans will likely get a chance to see him play at the Aud as well.

"The ultimate goal is to get him into some games (with the Rangers this year)," he said.

Playing for Matteo

There are layers to Kitchener Rangers rookie Mike Davies.

The kid - 16 - is wise beyond his years. I really got some reflective thoughts from him on why he is dedicating this season to 12-year-old Matteo Mancini.

The Thorold youngster passed away after a battle with cancer this past May.

Davies had a special relationship with the family friend.

It's nice to know it's not all about hockey for top draft picks.

***

There will be no additional penalty for Ben Thomson in the wake of his hit to the head on Cameron Brace Saturday in Owen Sound.

Thomson received a five minute major and a game misconduct after the play. The OHL reviewed the hit and deemed the punishment fair.

The right call from here.

***

How about that Matt Greenfield? The Florida lad is making it even more tempting to hit up a Kitchener Dutchies game.

Greenfield is riding back-to-back shutouts, his latest a 4-0 win over Cambridge. He is a perfect 4-0 and leads the GOJHL with a 1.oo goals against average. That was not a typo. His save percentage ain't half bad either at .965.

Did I mention the Rangers got Le Vert in the 12th round of the 2011 draft?

The plan, for now, is to keep getting him work with the Dutchies, according to GM Murray Hiebert. But the boss did say fans will likely get a chance to see him play at the Aud as well.

"The ultimate goal is to get him into some games (with the Rangers) this year," he said.