Rangers Report

Then and now: Nazem Kadri

A look at former Kitchener Rangers now in the NHL.

Nazem Kadri, F

Then: 2006-08

Now: Toronto Maple Leafs

Then and now: John Moore

A look at former Kitchener Rangers now in the NHL.

John Moore, D

Then: 2009-10

Now: New York Rangers

Then and now: Gregory Campbell

A look at former Kitchener Rangers now in the NHL.

Gregory Campbell, F

Then: 2002-03

Now: Boston Bruins

Then and now: Yannick Weber

A look at former Kitchener Rangers now in the NHL.

Yannick Weber, D

Then: 2006-08

Now: Vancouver Canucks

Then and now: Jakub Kindl

A look at former Kitchener Rangers now in the NHL.

Jakub Kindl, D

Then: 2004-07

Now: Detroit Red Wings

Then and now: David Clarkson

A look at former Kitchener Rangers now in the NHL.

David Clarkson, F

Then: 2002-05

Now: Toronto Maple Leafs

Kitchener 6, Erie 2

A rare Saturday game at the Aud tonight.

And the CHL's No. 1 ranked team in the Erie Otters to boot. Erie's 10-game winning streak was snapped just before Christmas thanks to a 5-0 beat down by the Guelph Storm.

Kitchener has lost two straight and five of the past six.

Exactly half a season (34 games) to go. Kitchener is three points out of the final playoff spot in the west.

I figure the team needs to play .500 hockey to rest of the way to assure itself a spot in the post-season. So, that's 17 wins or so, depending on OT/SO points.

It's not an easy schedule ahead. The Rangers have five games against Guelph, four against Erie, three versus London and one each with Oshawa and Sudbury - the top five teams in the league, position wise. There is also another against the Soo.

As for adding bodies via trade? Not sure the Rangers have much room left. Every OHL team gets 30 cards for players. By my count, the club has already used 28. Jake Cascagnette and Mitch Dempsey are about halfway to securing the final two (activated when players suit up for their 11th game).

The Rangers will get a boost up front tonight when centre Matia Marcantuoni returns to the lineup after missing 14 games with a shoulder injury.

Kitchener:

Darby Llewellyn-Matia Marcantuoni-Justin Bailey
Brent Pedersen-Ryan MacInnis-Nick Magyar
Brandon Robinson-Curtis Meighan-Scott Teskey
Jacob Cascagnette-Mason Kohn-Mike Davies

Ben Fanelli-Frank Hora
Logan Schmidt-Max Iafrate
Dmitrii Sergeev-Dylan Di Perna

Jordan DeKort (4-12) starts.

Erie:

Dane Fox-Brendan Gaunce-Connor Brown
Jake Evans-Michael Curtis-Joel Wigle
Hayden Hodgson-Kyle Pettit-Nick Betz
Travis Wood-Quentin Maksimovich-Pat Murphy

Cory Genovese-Spencer Abraham
Travis Dermott-Troy Donnay
Justin Felker-Darren Raddysh

Devin Williams (13-2) starts.

Game summary

Puck points:

- Take a look at the Rangers lineup. Take out Ben Fanelli and put Doug Blaisdell in (not necessarily in his place, but on defence) and that could be your team next year. There will be an import, No. 1 pick and Jimmy Soper, Kegan Blasby, Ty Learn and James Mense-Dietrich in the mix. Crazy to think all those guys could be back.

- Lots of talk out of London about the Knights needing a pure goal scorer. Kind of like Dane Fox, who they traded to Erie two years ago right around this time.

- Ex-Rangers captain Ryan Murphy (CAR) dropped the ceremonial puck to kick off the game.

- Radek Faksa suffered chipped teeth, swollen lips and received a mouthful of blood after taking a high stick in the Czech Republic's 5-4 shootout win over Canada at the world juniors today.

- Brandon Robinson scores his second career hat trick. Last year he got it in the last game before the Christmas break, this time in the first game back.

- Brent Pedersen delivered a couple of big hits. That is an aspect that has been missing from the Rangers' game this season.

- First OHL points for Jacob Cascagnette and Dmitrii Sergeev who both grabbed assists.

- Jordan DeKort turned in a solid performance after giving up two goals early to Brendan Gaunce. The backstopper made 31 saves.

- Robinson joins Darby Llewellyn and Radek Faksa as the only Rangers to notch hat tricks this season.

- Curtis Meighan has six points in his past four games.

JB's top three Rangers: Brandon Robinson, Justin Bailey, Curtis Meighan

Then and now: Andre Benoit

A look at former Kitchener Rangers now in the NHL.

Andre Benoit, D

Then: 2000-05

Now: Colorado Avalanche

Then and now: Derek Roy

A look at former Kitchener Rangers now in the NHL.

Derek Roy, F

Then: 99-03

Now: St. Louis Blues

Then and now: Steve Downie

A look at former Kitchener Rangers now in the NHL.

Steve Downie, F

Then: 2007

Now: Philadelphia Flyers

Then and now: Matt Halischuk

A look at former Kitchener Rangers now in the NHL.

Matt Halischuk, F

Then: 2006-08

Now: Winnipeg Jets

Then and now: Jerry D'Amigo

A look at former Kitchener Rangers now in the NHL.

Jerry D'Amigo, F

Then: 2010-11

Now: Toronto Maple Leafs

Then and now: Nick Spaling

A look at former Kitchener Rangers now in the NHL.

Nick Spaling, F

Then: 2005-08

Now: Nashville Predators

Then and now: Mikkel Boedker

A look at former Kitchener Rangers now in the NHL.

Mikkel Boedker, F

Then: 2007-08

Now: Phoenix Coyotes

Then and now: Robert Bortuzzo

A look at former Kitchener Rangers now in the NHL.

Robert Bortuzzo, D

Then: 2006-09

Now: Pittsburgh Penguins

Then and now: Mark Fraser

A look at former Kitchener Rangers now in the NHL.

Mark Fraser, D

Then: 2006-08

Now: Toronto Maple Leafs

Then and now: Michael Richards

A look at former Kitchener Rangers now in the NHL.

Michael Richards, F

Then: 2001-05

Now: Los Angeles Kings

Then and now: Peter DeBoer

A look at former Kitchener Rangers now in the NHL.

Peter DeBoer

Then: Coach/GM 2001-08

Now: Coach, New Jersey Devils

Sault Ste. Marie 5, Kitchener 4

It's the last game before the holiday break.

And it might just be the most telling tilt for the Kitchener Rangers this season. A win, combined with a Plymouth loss, would put the Blueshirts into the final playoff spot in the western conference.

That'd be a nice way to go into the pause.

The club will find out today if Matia Marcantuoni (shoulder) will be in action. He has practised with the team for about a week but has missed the past 13 games. The fourth-year centre says he feels great.

The Soo is coming off an emotional 6-5 overtime loss to Guelph last night. Kitchener has been idle since losing to the 'Hounds up north on Sunday.

Kitchener:

Brent Pedersen-Ryan MacInnis-Nick Magyar
Brandon Robinson-Curtis Meighan-Justin Bailey
Jacob Cascagnette-Darby Llewellyn-Scott Teskey
Mike Davies-Mason Kohn-Kegan Blasby

Ben Fanelli-Frank Hora
Max Iafrate-Logan Schmidt
Dylan Di Perna-Doug Blaisdell

Matt Greenfield (5-7-0-1) starts

Sault Ste. Marie:

Pat Watling-Jared McCann-Andrew Fritsch
Sergey Tolchinsky-Blake Speers-Zachary Senyshyn
Michael Bunting-David Miller-Trent Mallette
Jean Dupuy-Tyler Gaudet-Keigan Goetz

Darnell Nurse-Alex Gudbranson
Kyle Jenkins-Tyler Ganly
Kevin Spinozzi-Colton White

Backup Brandon Halverson (5-2) starts.

Game summary

Puck points:

- Last game for the Rangers and Greyhounds before the Xmas break. After the game, local Greyhounds got to go straight home. Only five people took the bus back to the Soo.

- Kegan Blasby got off to a strong start in a rare appearance. A good hit and steal that almost led to a breakaway.

- Like so many games this year, this one could be a precious point lost that the Rangers look back on if they don't make the playoffs. Little separates Kitchener, Sarnia and Plymouth right now and every point is extremely valuable for that eighth and final post-season slot.

- Some nice shot blocking by Rangers' rookie Mike Davies tonight.

- This game marked the end of the second quarter of the season. Kitchener garnered 11 points in the first 17 games and was in last place in the west. In the next 17, they picked up 14 points and remain in last place.

- Teams have been picking up on Ryan MacInnis of late and he's seen increased physical play by foes in the past few weeks.

- Soo staff in pressbox was predicted game winning goals for the 'Hounds after the second period ended. Turns out their feeling was spot on.

- Kitchener has lost five of its past six games.

- Soo went 0-for-2 on the PP. Kitchener did not received a single PP.

JB's top three Rangers: Curtis Meighan, Nick Magyar, Darby Llewellyn

Leroux's season done

Paxton Leroux, we hardly knew ya.

After a handful of shifts the overager winger's tenure with the Kitchener Rangers is finished.

Shelved for the season he is after having shoulder surgery last Thursday.

All fans got was a period and a few minutes before the gritty 20-year-old was forced to exit against the Belleville Bulls on Nov. 22.

The Rangers gave up a fifth round pick for Leroux. Though, GM Murray Hiebert is in conversation with London boss Mark Hunter over the big guy's shoulder.

Makes you wonder if the team received damaged goods.

Either way, beyond the pick, burning an OHL card hurts the club. Leroux would have been a nice veteran addition to the young team. The Rangers now have one active OA left - captain Ben Fanelli.