A quick turnaround for the Rangers who are off to Guelph.
It was an emotional win for Kitchener last night in London. The Rangers doubled up the Knights 4-2. Goalie Luke Opilka was sensational and called it a "statement" game.
Let's just hope the club doesn't go into the Sleeman Centre this afternoon overconfident. The Storm is the league's worst team but has played Kitchener tough this season.
Of note from last night's win was Opilka, who gave a nod to Kitchener goalie coach Kain Tisi for his continued progression in between the pipes.
Kitchener:
Brandon Robinson-Ryan MacInnis-Jeremy Bracco
Nick Magyar-Gustaf Franzen-Connor Bunnaman
Darby Llewellyn-Mason Kohn-Adam Mascherin
Nick McHugh-Jacob Cascgnette-Joseph Garreffa
Dmitrii Sergeev-Frank Hora
Doug Blaisdell-Dylan Di Perna
Elijah Roberts-Connor Hall
Luke Opilka (12-2-2-0) starts.
Guelph:
Givani Smith-Tyler Boston-Luke Burghardt
Isaac Ratcliffe-James McEwan-Vladislav Barulin
Nick Deakin-Poot-Matt Hotchkiss-Jake Bricknell
Timo Haussener-Nicolas Sicoly-Liam Stevens
Levi Tetrault-C.J. Garcia
Garrett McFadden-Austin Hall
Kyle Rhodes-Brock Philips
Bradley Van Schubert (0-8-0-0) starts.
Brownie points:
- My bad, figured Richardson would be a no-brainer for tonight but alas Opilka is back in between the pipes. Coach says he wants his go-to guy to get some back-to-back work. I thought it would have been a good time to get Richardson an OHL rep. No biggie. Nothing wrong with going with the big gun.
- Before the game the Storm acquired OA goalie Brendan Burke off waivers from the Calgary Hitmen and traded his rights to London for a sixth round pick in 2016. There is that veteran backup I referred to in last night's post-game notes.
- After scoring in the first period Mason Kohn showed more razzle dazzle by undressing a Guelph defenceman and breaking in on Brad Van Schubert but hit the post. Kohn plays a grit game but certainly has some skill.
- Nick McHugh almost scored his second goal of the season on a shorthanded breakaway. That's how the rookie notched his first OHL goal.
- Coach Mike Van Ryn rolled his fourth unit and third D pairing more than usual - a benefit of playing a last place club.
- Nick Magyar was dropped down to the fourth line and Joe Garreffa promoted to the third unit in the third period.
- Garrett McFadden breaks his stick in the third and has to leave the ice and Kitchener gets a three-on-one because of it. Adam Mascherin scores. Brutal luck for the Storm.
- D Connor Hall left the game in the second period and did not return. The preliminary diagnosis is an upper body injury.
- Guelph also lost a player in Givani Smith. The forward left the game after being taken into the boards by Brandon Robinson.
- It was a generous crowd at the Sleeman Centre for a product that wasn't worthy of the ticket price. The Storm are just struggling. There is no other way to put it. We're probably looking at a single digit win season in Guelph. Yikes.
- Tough break for Joseph Garreffa who should have had his first OHL goal. A great wraparound attempt but the puck landed in the crease until Gustaf Franzen potted a gimme.
- A horrible first period. A meh second. And the Rangers of old in the third. That about sums up the game. Mike Van Ryn said it wasn't a satisfying win. Time to focus on Erie this Thursday.
JB's top three Rangers: Joseph Garreffa, Gustaf Franzen, Dylan Di Perna