Rangers Report

Rangers win their own border battle

Members of the Erie Otters sat transfixed in the first row at the Aud with their eyes glued to the centre-ice scoreboard overhead.

Players from the Kitchener Rangers were across the rink and equally invested in the world junior hockey championship game being broadcast on the big screen about an hour before their Ontario Hockey League match Friday.

And you could hear the groans from the Kitchener crew when the United States capped a dramatic comeback to beat Canada 4-3 in a shootout in the round robin match played Friday in Buffalo.

The Americans may have won the first leg, but Canada's red, white and blue bunch scored some redemption with a rally of their own by edging the Otters 4-3 later in the night.

The victory won't soothe the heartbroken hockey fans following the world junior tournament across the country but Rangers Nation sure is smiling.

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Kitchener 4, Erie 3

PREGAME

Rangers: 22-11-2-0, second in western conference

Otters: 11-18-5-1, ninth in western conference

Head to head: Kitchener is 4-0 against Erie this season.

Game-time: 7:30 p.m.

The skinny: It has been a rough December for the Otters, who have one win and eight losses this month. The team will be without forward Taylor Raddysh, who is representing Canada at the world junior hockey championships. The Rangers have won seven of their past nine games and are coming off a one-sided 5-1 win in Owen Sound.

Keep an eye on: Adam Mascherin's league leading nine-game goal scoring streak ended in last night in Owen Sound. He'll look to restart the run against Erie. He already has four goals against the Otters this season.

Additional reading:

Back end should be Kitchener's focus at trade deadline
Rangers dominate Attack in return from holiday break

Kitchener:

Adam Mascherin-Greg Meireles-Kole Sherwood
Rickard Hugg-Joseph Garreffa-Cole Carter
Connor Bunnaman-Riley Damiani-Jake Henderson
Nick McHugh-Eric Guest-Jonathan Yantsis

Logan Stanley-Giovanni Vallati
Connor Hall-Grayson Ladd
Kyle Gentles-Jack York

Luke Richardson (15-8-1-0) starts.

Erie:

Kyle Maksimovich-Ivan Lodnia-Maxim Golod
Stephane Patry-Gera Poddubnyi-Cade Robinson
Patrick Fellows-Alex Gritz-Chad Yetman
Emmett Sproule-Joseph Mack-X

Ryan Martin-Jordan Sambrook
Jack Duff-Owen Headrick
Josh Wainman-Mitchell Byrne
Aidan Timmermans

Daniel Murphy (0-2-0-0) starts.

Game summary

Brownie points:

- If you're watching the world juniors, American defenceman Adam Fox was a Rangers eighth round draft pick in 2014. That was the year the Rangers had the second overall pick. Interestingly, only three players from that draft have ever played meaningful minutes for the club - Adam Mascherin, Connor Bunnaman and Connor Hall.

- Kitchener’s third goal was all Riley Damiani. His hustle to beat an Erie defenceman and chase a puck dumped behind the Otters’ net resulted in Connor Bunnaman’s 17^th of the season.

- That’s goals in back-to-back games for Bunnaman, who now has points in seven consecutive games (3G, 7A).

- Erie goalie Dan Murphy had a shutout for the first half of the game. The youngster is still looking for his first OHL win. He’s a nice story as he was the final pick (301^st overall) in the 2016 draft.

- How about that Rangers PP? 3-for-6 in the past two games. Not bad. Only two penalties (both to Erie) were called all game.

- Kitchener held Erie to single digit shots in the first and second period (8-5).

- I'm not sure you feel too good about this win. It wasn't pretty. Erie, a struggling team, had too many chances and hung around way too long. But, you take the points and smile.

-  Kole Sherwood is in a bit of a funk and has just one goal in his past eight games.

JB's top three Rangers: Riley Damiani, Connor Bunnaman, Kyle Gentles

Richardson flirts with shutout

Goalies are supposed to ignore it but the S-word crossed Luke Richardson's mind midway through the third period.

The Kitchener Rangers netminder was about nine minutes away from his first career Ontario Hockey League shutout when the clean sheet popped into his head Thursday.

"Yeah, I thought about it, especially in the third with about 10 minutes to go," admitted Richardson. "It was creeping in but I just tried to push the thought aside."

It was a tough final frame at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre.

The Rangers were under fire as the home side Owen Sound Attack peppered Richardson with shots during a late five-on-three power play.

The Blueshirts battled hard and neutralized the two-man advantage only to give up a goal two seconds after the power play had expired.

"That always sucks (allowing a goal) after you kill off a long five-on-three," said Richardson.

The goal — by defenceman Markus Phillips — was moot.

A strong start by the Rangers had the visitors up 3-0 after the first period as the club cruised to a 5-1 win to kick off the second half of the OHL season.

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Kitchener 5, Owen Sound 1

PREGAME

Rangers: 21-11-2-0, second in western conference

Attack: 14-13-1-4, eighth in western conference

Head to head: Kitchener is 3-1-1-0 against the Attack this season.

Game-time: 7 p.m.

The skinny: It’s the first game back after an 11-day layoff for the Rangers. The team won six of eight games leading up to the break. Owen Sound, once the darlings of the west in terms of pre-season predictions, has dropped nine of its past 10 games. The team is hoping recently acquired goalie Olivier Lafreniere (0-1-0-1 with the Attack) can help turn things around.

Keep an eye on: Rangers D/F Joseph Garreffa loves playing the Attack and has 11 points in five games against Owen Sound this season.

Additional reading: The art of the deal: an inside look at how GMs handle trading

Kitchener:

Adam Mascherin-Greg Meireles-Kole Sherwood
Rickard Hugg-Joseph Garreffa-Cole Carter
Connor Bunnaman-Riley Damiani-Jake Henderson
Nick McHugh-Eric Guest-Jonathan Yantsis

Logan Stanley-Giovanni Vallati
Connor Hall-Grayson Ladd
Kyle Gentles-Jack York

Luke Richardson (14-8-1-0) starts.

Owen Sound:

Matthew Struthers-Ethan Szypula-Nick Suzuki
Alan Lyszczarczyk-Aidan Dudas-Chase Campbell
Jackson Doherty-Mitchell Russell-Cole Cameron
Danill Vertiy-Marino Moro-Luke Beamish

Jacob Friend-Sean Durzi
Trenton Bourque-Markus Phillips
Igor Chibrikov-Brady Lyle

Oliver Lafreniere (4-8-0-1) starts.

Game summary

Brownie points:

- Rangers goalie Anthony Dumont-Bouchard remains out indefinitely with a concussion.

- Owen Sound was without forwards Jonah Gadjovich (Canada) and Maksim Sushko (Belarus). Both are participating in the world junior hockey championships in Buffalo. Kevin Hancock (hand) was also out. Kitchener's Adam Liska is also at the tourney with Slovakia.

- Defenceman Connor Hall returned to action after missing the past seven games with a shoulder injury.

- Rumour going around in Owen Sound is that Windsor's Sean Day and Gabriel Vilardi are headed to Kingston. Keep in mind that lots of stuff is being said at this time of the year.

- No Christmas hangover for the Rangers who took the crowd out of the game by scoring three goals and outshooting the Sound 14-4 in the first period.

- After going 23 games without a goal, Joseph Garreffa now has two in his past two games.

- Greg Meireles has had a great month for the Rangers with six goals in his past nine games.

- Kitchener’s special teams were just that. PK killed five Attack power plays while Rangers went 2-for-4 with the man advantage. The Blueshirts PP ranks 10^th in the OHL while the PK is eighth best.

- Terrible shot clock counting in Owen Sound.

- Poor Hall who got clipped in the mouth and was talking with a lisp after the game. Last time in Owen Sound he hurt his shoulder and missed seven games.

- Owen Sound spoiled Luke Richardson's shutout bid with 8:24 to go in the game.

- Draws 39-17 Rangers. Bunnaman 7-for-7, Meireles 8-for-10, Damiani 9-for-13.

- Adam Mascherin saw his nine-game goal scoring streak end. He did hit a post.

JB's top three Rangers: Luke Richardson, Joseph Garreffa, Jake Henderson

The art of the deal

Mike McKenzie is already getting ready.

The Ontario Hockey League trade deadline is approaching fast and the Kitchener Rangers general manager has some moves to make.

"I think this year we're going to set things up like a war room and really be prepared with a lot of help," he said. "You're working against a deadline and things need to be done at a certain time."

McKenzie has been through the drill before as an assistant GM but this will be his first taste as the main man in charge after taking over the post from Murray Hiebert last March.

The Rangers have reached the second round of the playoffs just twice in the past five years and both times they failed to move on.

This season feels different.

The veteran heavy Rangers are off to a strong start and sit second in the OHL's 10-team western conference. After years of shedding players and acquiring draft picks, the club is ready to start spending.

But the Blueshirts aren't alone.

All 20 OHL clubs are in playoff contention and only the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds have emerged as a top contender. That means the phones will be ringing up until this year's trade deadline, which expires at noon on Jan. 10.

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Rangers imports share holiday traditions

Carp swimming in the bathtub, Jesus delivering presents and Donald Duck cartoons.

These are just some of the Christmas traditions for Kitchener Rangers forwards Adam Liska, of Slovakia, and Rickard Hugg, who hails from Sweden.

When it comes to the festive season, both imports get the jump on their North American teammates since the main celebration happens on Dec. 24 in their respective countries.

Liska's day starts with a grumbling belly.

"I wake up and I'm hungry all day," said the 18-year-old, noting that it's customary for Slovaks to fast until dinner is served.

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Kitchener 3, Kingtson 2

PREGAME

Rangers: 20-11-2-0, second in western conference

Frontenacs: 17-9-3-3, third in western conference

Head to head: This is the first game between the two clubs this season. The Rangers went 1-0-1-0 against the Fronts last season.

Game-time: 2 p.m.

The skinny: This is the third game road game in three days for the Frontenacs. Kingston lost in Guelph Friday and beat Owen Sound in a shootout yesterday. Six of the Fronts' last 10 games have been decided by one goal. The Rangers will be trying to shake off Friday's heartbreaker that saw the club lose an important point when they gave up the winner to the Soo with 2.9 seconds until overtime. Only two points separates these two clubs in the standings.

Keep an eye on: Kingston leading scorer Jason Robertson has five goals and 10 assists in his past 10 games.

Local connections: Fronts C Ted Nichol hails from nearby Listowel.

Additional reading: Rangers can't hold off Soo rally.

Kitchener:

Adam Mascherin-Greg Meireles-Kole Sherwood
Nick McHugh-Rickard Hugg-Cole Carter
Connor Bunnaman-Riley Damiani-Jake Henderson
Eric Guest-Michael Petizian-Jonathan Yantsis

Joseph Garreffa-Giovanni Vallati
Kyle Gentles-Grayson Ladd
Alex Peterson-Jack York

Luke Richardson (13-8-1-0) starts.

Kingston:

Linus Nyman-Nathan Dunkley-Jason Robertson
Sergey Popov-Brett Neumann-Matt Hotchkiss
Ted Nichol-Tyler Burnie-Ryan Cranford
Bryan Laureigh-Cody Morgan-Luke Drewitt

Jacob Paquette-Conor Ali
Sam Field-Jakob Brahaney
Evan Brand-Emmett Gordon

Jeremy Helvig (14-6-3-3) starts.

Game summary

Brownie points:

- No Adam Liska for the Rangers. He's in Rochester auditioning for Slovakia's world junior squad.

- Defenceman Logan Stanley is out with a lower body injury. The team expects him back after the Christmas break. Alex Peterson steps in to take his place. First game for Peterson since Nov. 18 and just his fifth this season.

- 29 minutes for defencemen Joseph Garreffa and Giovanni Vallati this afternoon.

- Back to back strong games from goalie Luke Richardson. He faced 37 shots, 30 from the second period on.

- Kingston failed to register a single shot on net during its first period power play. Kitchener also didn’t hit the net while up a man once in the second and once in the third.

- Kole Sherwood got his first goal in six games in the second period for the Rangers. Garreffa's winner was his first in 24 tilts.

- Adam Mascherin extended his goal scoring streak to nine games which is a league high this season.

JB’s top three Rangers: Luke Richardson, Adam Mascherin, Joseph Garreffa

Rangers can't hold off Soo rally

There is a reason why Sault Ste. Marie is the best team in the Canadian Hockey League.

Even when the Greyhounds are on the ropes — like they were Friday night at the Aud — the club finds a way to fight back to win.

The Rangers were in full spoiler mode.

The home side was up 3-2 late in the third period and the Soo's 18-game winning streak looked like it was about to end.

But the 'Hounds potted the equalizer with 6:10 to go and then delivered the ultimate dagger when Keeghan Howdeshell scored the winner with 2.9 seconds left on the clock.

A dejected Rangers bunch slowly skated to the bench in disbelief as the Hounds celebrated across the ice.

"The last two seconds," said Kitchener captain Connor Bunnaman, whose club lost 4-3. "It hurts."

Full story

Sault Ste. Marie 4, Kitchener 3

PREGAME

Rangers: 20-10-2-0, second in western conference

Greyhounds: 26-3-2-0, first in OHL

Head to head: Soo leads the season series 2-0.

Game-time: 7:30 p.m.

The skinny: Sault Ste. Marie has won 18 consecutive games and hasn’t lost since Oct. 27. The team will be without Waterloo forward Boris Katchouk and defenceman Conor Timmins as both are trying out for Canada’s world junior squad.  The Rangers have won five of their past six games and are looking to avenge an embarrassing 8-2 loss to the Soo in late November.

Keep an eye on: Like Kitchener’s Adam Mascherin, the Soo’s Morgan Frost also didn’t receive an invitation to Canada’s world junior camp. And like Mascherin, he’s smoking hot. Frost has six goals and 15 assists in his past nine games.

Additional reading: Soo put winning streak on the line at the Aud.

Kitchener:

Adam Mascherin-Greg Meireles-Kole Sherwood
Adam Liska-Rickard Hugg-Cole Carter
Connor Bunnaman-Riley Damiani-Jake Henderson
Nick McHugh-Eric Guest-Jonathan Yantsis

Logan Stanley-Giovanni Vallati
Joseph Garreffa-Kyle Gentles
Grayson Ladd-Jack York

Luke Richardson (13-7-1-0) starts.

Sault Ste. Marie:

Keeghan Howdeshell-Barrett Hayton-Jack Kopacka
Tim Gettinger-Hayden Verbeek-Cole MacKay
Joe Carroll-Morgan Frost-Ryan Roth
Calvin Martin-Hayden Fowler-Brett Jacklin

Noah Carroll-Mac Hollowell
Jacob LeGuerrier-Rasmus Sandin
Holden Wale-Anthony DeMeo

Matt Villalta (19-2-1-0) starts.

Game summary

Brownie points:

- Rangers D Logan Stanley was cut from Canada's world junior camp late last night. It's a tough one for the veteran rearguard but certainly a boost for Kitchener.

- Kitchener G Anthony Dumont-Bouchard remains out but has moved on to a more advantage stage of rehab according to the team. He has been out since mid-October with a concussion. He says he's feeling better and eager to return.

- Rangers F Adam Liska is in tonight's lineup but leaves tomorrow for Slovakia's junior camp which means he won't be available for Sunday's game against Kingston.

- Goalie Lucas Pfeil was the backup tonight. Chris McGonigle is sick.

- The first period was one of the better scoreless frames I’ve seen in a while. Lots of action and intensity. Captain Connor Bunnaman led by example while Rickard Hugg also stood out for his aggressive forecheck.

- Kitchener’s puck movement is improving game by game. Also not sure I’ve seen them battle for pucks as much as they did in this one.

- Greg Meireles had a penalty shot in the second period but lost control of the puck and didn’t get a shot off.

- Kitchener’s third goal was a Connor Bunnaman pass that trickled past Soo goalie Matthew Villalta and in. It was a weird one. And you need those kind of goals to beat the Soo. First in 10 games for the Bunnaman.

- I thought the refs – Quincy Evans and Mike Marley – called a good game and let the teams play tonight. There was a good flow to the game. Then, it appears, they missed a high stick to Kole Sherwood's face in the third and the Soo scored the equalizer soon after.

- Rangers goalie Luke Richardson stopped a shorthanded breakaway by Keeghan Howdeshell in the second and made 28 saves all game.

- Howdeshell's winner with 2.9 second left stung. But Kitchener has certainly had its fair share of late game heroics recently so it's tough to complain.

- Draws 41-21 Soo. (Hugg 9-for-14)

JB’s top three Rangers: Connor Bunnaman, Rickard Hugg, Jake Henderson

Soo put streak on the line

Sault Ste. Marie is coming in hot.

The Greyhounds bring an 18-game winning streak to town when they face the Kitchener Rangers on Friday night at the Aud.

The stretch is the fourth longest in Ontario Hockey League history.

"I think our guys are well aware of how good the Soo are," said Rangers coach Jay McKee. "But they're human so they are able to be beat."

The Soo's run started with a 7-0 shutout over the Flint Firebirds on Oct. 28. Since then, the 'Hounds have outscored their opponents 91-38 while becoming the Canadian Hockey League's best team with an overall record of 27-3-2-0.

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Mascherin scorching hot

Adam Mascherin is doing his best to remind Hockey Canada what it's missing.

The Kitchener Rangers winger was left off the list last week when the national outfit invited 32 hockey players to its selection camp for the upcoming world junior championships.

The omission stung.

"It's hockey," said the Florida Panthers second round draft pick. "There isn't much I can do. Anyone would be (disappointed) if they have done what I've done. You'd think that I'd at least get a shot. It's nothing I can control."

But he can dictate his play with the Rangers.

And Mascherin is on a tear. The Maple, Ont., native has 10 goals and four assists in his past seven tilts. He extended his goal scoring streak to seven games Sunday afternoon as part of a three-point effort in the team's 10-3 romp over the Guelph Storm.

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Kitchener 10, Guelph 3

PREGAME

Rangers: 19-10-2-0, second in western conference

Storm: 16-10-1-2, fifth in western conference

Head to head: Kitchener leads the season series 2-1.

Game-time: 2 p.m.

The skinny: It has been an interesting couple of weeks for the Rangers. The team has four wins in five games and all of them have been third period or later comebacks. Guelph has been on a similar hot streak with four straight wins, three against division rivals (two vs. Owen Sound and one against Erie).

Keep an eye on: Storm F James McEwan seems to save his best for the Rangers. The forward already has four goals and two assists in the season series against the Blueshirts.

Additional reading: Rangers winning but goalie concerns continue.

Kitchener:

Adam Mascherin-Greg Meireles-Kole Sherwood
Connor Bunnaman-Riley Damiani-Jake Henderson
Adam Liska-Rickard Hugg-Cole Carter
Nick McHugh-Eric Guest-Jonathan Yantsis

Logan Stanley-Giovanni Vallati
Joseph Garreffa-Kyle Gentles
Grayson Ladd-Jack York

Luke Richardson (12-7-1-0) starts.

Guelph:

Isaac Ratcliffe-Cam Hillis-Nate Schnarr
Tag Bertuzzi-Liam Hawel-Givani Smith
Cedric Ralph-Barret Kirwin-Alexey Toropchenko
Mason Primeau-James McEwan

Garrett McFadden-Owen Lalonde
Dmitri Samorukov-Ryan Merkley
Mark Woolley-Mark Shoemaker

Anthony Popovich (15-8-1-0) starts.

Game summary

Brownie points:

- Rickard Hugg did not make the Swedish world jr. squad but is a reserve and will join the club if an injury occurs. Adam Liska has been invited to Slovakia's camp and it sounds like the squad is going to cut five players. Logan Stanley leaves Monday for Canada's camp.

- One of the best first periods this season by the Rangers. Three even strength goals and total domination. Outshot Storm 16-7.

- Adam Mascherin extended his goal scoring streak to seven games with his first period marker.

- Riley Damiani gets a severe facewash while poking at a loose puck in the Storm crease and Jake Henderson steps right in for some help in the first. Now that’s a teammate.

- Guelph’s Mason Primeau scored the Teddy Bear goal at 2:40 of the second period.

- The Rangers scored twice in 26 seconds (Damiani, Carter) in the second period to go up 6-1 and chase Storm starter Anthony Popovich from the crease.

- A four point afternoon for Adam Liska (one goal, three assists). He has eight points in his past four games.

- This was the first Rangers win that wasn’t by one goal since Nov. 19 (4-1 over Peterborough).

- With the Rangers up 7-1, coach Jay McKee put the fourth line out for the power play to start the third period. Not all OHL coaches do that.

- First OHL hat trick for Cole Carter.

- The 10 goals was a season high for the Rangers as was the seven goal margin of victory.

- Logan Stanley and Joseph Garreffa sat for the third period to rest with the game out of hand.

- Trade talk is heating up around the Rangers. It’s going to be a fun month until the OHL trade deadline.

JB’s top three Rangers: Adam Liska, Cole Carter, Jake Henderson

Rangers rally from shaky start for OT win

Jay McKee was joking when commenting on the extreme versatility of forward/defenceman Joseph Garreffa a few weeks back.

"Maybe he'll be our third string backup goalie too at some point," the Kitchener Rangers bench boss said with a smile in the mid-November chat.

Now, it might not be a bad idea.

Crisis may be overblowing the situation. But the Rangers certainly have some concerns in between the pipes, at least for a club that has made it known that it wants to make a long run in the post-season.

Chris McGonigle got the call Friday against the last place Flint Firebirds at the Aud but lasted just eight minutes after allowing three goals on six shots before being yanked for Luke Richardson.

Oh, the Rangers managed to claw back and avoid an embarrassing loss to the league's worst team.

Greg Meireles scored a desperation goal with 1:25 left to tie the game 4-4 before Adam Mascherin tipped in a beauty off a Logan Stanley pass in overtime to cap a 5-4 come-from-behind victory.

But the result masked the pressing issue in the crease. Friday's game was the fourth time in the past seven games that a Rangers' starter has not finished the contest.

Full story

Kitchener 5, Flint 4 (OT)

PREGAME

Rangers: 18-10-2-0, second in western conference

Firebirds: 9-17-2-0, 10^th in western conference

Head to head: Season series tied 1-1.

Game-time: 7:30 p.m.

The skinny: Demoralizing might be harsh. But let’s say the Rangers are coming off a tough one – an 8-5 loss to Windsor in the annual Teddy Bear Toss game. That said, the Rangers have won three of their past four. All three wins were come from behind victories but points nonetheless. A date with the league’s worst team might just be the tonic that sparks the Blueshirts. Flint has won two of its past three tilts but just three in its last 18 games.

Keep an eye on: F Kole Sherwood faces his former club for the first time and that usually brings out the best in players. The winger was traded to Kitchener for four draft picks in mid-October. Sherwood has six points in his past five games.

Kitchener:

Adam Mascherin-Greg Meireles-Kole Sherwood
Connor Bunnaman-Riley Damiani-Jake Henderson
Adam Liska-Rickard Hugg-Cole Carter
Nick McHugh-Eric Guest-Jonathan Yantsis

Logan Stanley-Giovanni Vallati
Joseph Garreffa-Kyle Gentles
Grayson Ladd-Jack York

Chris McGonigle (1-2-1-0) starts.

Flint:

Maurizio Colella-Ty Dellandrea-Connor Roberts
Ryan Littlejohn-Hunter Holmes-Jake Durham
Ethan Keppen-Kyle Harris-Jack Wismer
Jacob Collins-Jack Phibbs-C.J. Clarke

Fedor Gordeev-Nicolas Mattinen
Jalen Smereck-Hakon Nilsen
Nikita Alexandrov-Zack Pilon

Garrett Forrest (8-12-2-0) starts.

Game summary

Brownie points:

- Hey, it's fun hockey to watch, I'll give the Rangers that. But the team is really pushing its luck if it has to rely on rallies post-third period. This is the fourth time in the past five games that the club has trailed in the third but went on to win the game.

- Another rough night for the goalies. Starter Chris McGonigle allowed three goals on six shots (all markers came on the last three shots he faced) and was pulled eight minutes into the first period.

- It’s the fourth time the Rangers have yanked their starter in the past seven games.

- The team is banking on the return of OA goalie Anthony Dumont-Bouchard who, at a best case scenario, could be back just before Christmas.

- But with ADB’s injury history (he has had head/neck issues) the team has to be looking at an emergency option. Lots of fans want to see the team go all out for Windsor’s Michael DiPietro. The problem there is that he doesn’t seem to be available this season.

- One goalie that would cost less and is likely to be up for grabs is Saginaw’s Evan Cormier, who has a 2.91 GAA and .909 save percentage playing for the youngest team in the OHL. Just pointing him out as an option, not saying he's the answer.

- The Rangers also have netminder Lucas Pfeil, but the 16-year-old is with the Jr. B Kitchener Dutchmen where he is 2-7 with a 4.22 GAA and .859 save percentage. He’s more of a long term option and would do well to get a year of action under his belt on the B loop.

- Kitchener F Nick McHugh has five goals on 31 shots. That's a nice shooting percentage.

- F Greg Meireles was involved in a collision at centre ice in the second period and skated right to the bench but returned and then scored the equalizer. I thought he played a great game overall.

- You had the feeling in this one that the Rangers were going to rally. They were really pushing in the third period. And that aspect of the team's game deserves some credit.

- Flint skated through the entire game without notching a single penalty. The Rangers were called for three but killed all of them.

- A tip of the hat to the fans who continued to cheer loudly for the Rangers in the third period. Vocal isn't a word I use often with Rangers Nation but they were heard tonight.

- Mascherin's OT winner was a real pro looking goal. What a tip. He's now up to 20 goals.

-  Stanley leaves Monday for the world juniors so the Rangers will have him for Sunday's game in Guelph.

JB's top three Rangers: Greg Meireles, Adam Mascherin, Logan Stanley.

Waterloo duo off to Canada's camp

Tey grew up playing hockey on local rinks and dreamed about representing Canada at the world junior hockey championships.

Now Waterloo's Logan Stanley and Boris Katchouk will get a chance to do it together.

The Kitchener Rangers defenceman and Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds forward were among 32 players named to Canada's selection camp roster Wednesday afternoon in Calgary.

"It's really special to be recognized by your country and have an opportunity to compete for a gold medal," said Stanley, 19.

Stanley is a Winnipeg Jets first-round draft pick and is enjoying a career season with 22 points in 28 games with the Rangers.

Katchouk is a second-round pick by the Tampa Bay Lightning and led the Greyhounds with 23 goals in 27 games, heading into Wednesday's action.

Full story

Windsor bear-ies Rangers

Leading scorer Adam Mascherin scored his first career Ontario Hockey League hat trick.

And the Kitchener Rangers slipped five goals past Michael DiPietro, who is one of the stingiest netminders in the league.

But it still wasn't enough Tuesday at the Aud.

The Blueshirts collected a franchise record 10,908 stuffed animals on Teddy Bear Toss, night but it was Windsor that stuffed the net in an 8-5 Spitfires victory.

"Our starts aren't working for us right now," said Rangers bench boss Jay McKee. "We're chasing way too many games."

It was the fourth consecutive game that Kitchener has come out flat. In the other three, the club managed to fight back for dramatic victories.

But there was no comeback Tuesday.

Full story

Windsor 8, Kitchener 5

PREGAME

Rangers: 18-9-2-0, second in western conference

Spitfires: 15-10-2-0, fourth in western conference

Head to head: Kitchener leads the season series 2-0-1-0.

Game-time: 7 p.m.

The skinny: It’s Teddy Bear Toss night so bring the bears. Kitchener has won its past three tilts all by dramatic comeback. The Rangers trailed in the third period in each game but rallied to win in regulation or overtime. The surge has the club tied for third overall in the OHL in points and third in wins. The defending Memorial Cup champs continue to surprise and have points in their past four games (3-0-1-0).

Keep an eye on: Windsor F Aaron Luchuk likes playing the Rangers and has three goals and two assists in three games against Kitchener this season.

Bear bet: Captain Connor Bunnaman has scored the past two Teddy Bear goals.

Additional reading: Rangers rally to win in OT yet again

Past Bear scorers:

2016: Connor Bunnaman
2015: Connor Bunnaman
2014: Liam Maaskant
2013: Nick Magyar
2012: Brent Pedersen
2011: Zach Lorentz
2010: Matt Tipoff
2009: Jason Akeson
2008: Jason Akeson
2007: Justin Azevedo
2006: Kevin Henderson
2005: Yves Bastien
2004: Mike Duco
2003: Jesse Boucher
2002: Evan McGrath
2001: Jeff Szwez
2000: Steve Eminger
1999: Mike Mazzuca
1998: Serge Payer
1997: Jeff Ambrosio
1996: Darcy Harris
1995: Paul Traynor

Kitchener:

Adam Mascherin-Rickard Hugg-Nick McHugh
Connor Bunnaman-Riley Damiani-Kole Sherwood
Adam Liska-Greg Meireles-Cole Carter
Jonathan Yantsis-Eric Guest-Jake Henderson

Logan Stanley-Giovanni Vallati
Joseph Garreffa-Kyle Gentles
Grayson Ladd-Jack York

Luke Richardson (11-7-1-0) starts.

Windsor:

Daniel D'Amico-Aaron Luchuk-Jake Smith
Mathew MacDougall-William Sirman-Cole Purboo
Tyler Angle-Luke Boka-Chris Playfair
Kirill Kozthevnikov-Adam Kadlec

Thomas Stevenson-Evan McEneny
Nathan Staios-Connor Corcoran
Lev Starikov-Hayden Johnston

Michael DiPietro (15-7-1-0) starts.

Game summary

Brownie points:

- Connor Hall has his MRI done and it's goodish news. He remains out indefinitely but isn't done for the season. He's expected to be out for about a month with an eye toward returning after Christmas.

- Eric Guest is back in the lineup after missing the past dozen games with an upper body injury. Coach Jay McKee said taking fourth line centre Michael Petizian out of the lineup was a very difficult decision since the rookie has been playing so well.

- I'm taking Greg Meireles for the Teddy Bear goal.

- Windsor F Logan Brown and D Sean Day sat out with the flu.

- Rangers D Alex Peterson has been playing for the Elmira Sugar Kings in the GOJHL but is still with the Rangers and was up in the press box watching Tuesday.

- Adam Mascherin scored the Teddy Bear goal at 15:24 of the first period off a nice feed from former Spit Logan Stanley.

- Goalie Luke Richardson was yanked after allowing three goals on eight shots. It's the third time in the past six games that the Rangers' starter has been pulled.

- As the only game in the league, tonight's tilt was packed with NHL scouts.

- Mascherin scored the first hat trick of his OHL career (thanks Chris Pope) and, I thought, was one of the few Rangers that appeared ready for this tilt.

- Coach Jay McKee stressed that he has not been happy with the way the players prepare for games. He had a long chat with the lads after the game, so long that post-game interviews weren't possible.

- It felt like a real opportunity was lost tonight - five goals on DiPietro and no Brown or Day in the lineup.

- Good starts are crucial but consistent goaltending is also paramount. The net situation is certainly shaky right now. Talk that Anthony Dumont-Bouchard is close to returning from an upper body injury is promising but he does have a history of head/neck issues. GM Mike McKenzie has some things to figure out because you'd hate to have ADB return only to lose him after the trade deadline, especially when he holds a coveted OA card.

JB's top three Rangers: Adam Mascherin, Cole Carter, Logan Stanley

Garreffa OHL's greatest - this week

Joseph Garreffa has been rewarded for offensive output.

The Kitchener Rangers defenceman/forward was named Ontario Hockey League player of the Monday after posting back-to-back four assist games in come from behind 5-4 wins against Owen Sound last week.

The Toronto native was plus-three during the Rangers’ three-game win streak that also saw the club edge Erie 3-2 in overtime on Sunday.

The spike in helpers gives Garreffa 23 on the season, which ties him for 11^th overall in the league.

It’s the first time a Ranger has won the weekly honour this season. Also considered for the award were forward Jason Robertson of the Kingston Frontenacs, defenceman Conor Timmins of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds and Windsor goalie Michael DiPietro.

Rangers win third straight

The comeback kings were at it again.

It wasn't pretty but the Kitchener Rangers found a way to rally in the third period before edging the Erie Otters 3-2 in overtime Sunday evening.

It was the third time this week that the Blueshirts have fallen behind only to eek out a victory in the late stages of the game.

And while exciting to watch, it's a trend the team is hoping to change.

"The players might (like it)," said Rangers bench boss Jay McKee. "The coaching staff doesn't like it a whole lot.

Adam Mascherin was the hero.

The Florida Panthers prospect skated end-to-end past three Otters before backhanding the winner over Erie netminder Troy Timpano 1:43 into overtime.

Full story

Kitchener 3, Erie 2 (OT)

PREGAME

Rangers: 17-9-2-0, second in western conference

Otters: 10-13-3-1, ninth in the western conference

Head to head: Kitchener leads the season series 3-0.

Game-time: 5 p.m.

The skinny: Erie has won two of last nine games and is on a three-game losing streak. Kitchener rallied from a two-goal deficit in the third period twice this week to beat Owen Sound 5-4 each time.

Keep an eye on: Rangers F Kole Sherwood had four points the last time Kitchener played Erie. The game lit a fire under the Columbus Blue Jackets prospect as he’s had 15 points in 12 games since then.

Scorching hot: Rangers D Joseph Garreffa has eight assists in his past two games and is in the running for OHL player of the week.

Additional reading: Rangers rally yet again to beat Owen Sound

Kitchener:

Adam Mascherin-Rickard Hugg-Kole Sherwood
Adam Liska-Greg Meireles-Cole Carter
Connor Bunnaman-Riley Damiani-Jake Henderson
Nick McHugh-Michael Petizian-Jonathan Yantsis

Logan Stanley-Joseph Garreffa
Giovanni Vallati-Kyle Gentles
Jack York-Grayson Ladd

Luke Richardson (10-7-1-0) starts.

Erie:

Kyle Maksimovich-Ivan Lodnia-Taylor Raddysh
Patrick Fellows-Joseph Mack-Christian Girhiny
Maxim Golod-Gera Poddubnyi-Cade Robinson
Stephane Patry-Alex Gritz-Chad Yetman

Ryan Martin-Jordan Sambrook
Jack Duff-Owen Headrick
Kurtis Henry-Aidan Timmermans

Troy Timpano (7-8-2-1) starts.

Game summary

Brownie points:

- A very thin crowd in Erie. Being second last in the west doesn’t help but it’s surprising that there isn’t more fan support after four consecutive 50-win seasons.

- Erie scored its first two goals in 37 seconds before the six minute mark of the first period.

- Rangers rookie Michael Petizian is the shortest player (5-foot-5) in the OHL but has delivered bone crushing checks in each of his last two games.

- Erie’s 1-3 setup while shorthanded stymied the Rangers especially on Kitchener’s first power play where the Blueshirts barely set up in the Otters’ offensive zone.

- Overall, both teams looked ordinary on the power play. Erie was 0-for-5 while Kitchener was 0-for-3. A credit though to the teams' PK units.

- Kitchener’s Kole Sherwood went down in front of Erie’s net in the second period after taking a cross check to his ribs from Kyle Maksimovich and had to be helped off the ice. He was OK and stayed in the game.

- Lost track of how many posts and crossbars were dinged in this one. Most I’ve seen this season.

- Erie outshot the Rangers 7-1 in the opening eight minutes of the third period.

- Faceoffs 38-26 Rangers. Riley Damiani was 11-for-15.

- Kitchener got some help from Erie goalie Troy Timpano who made the initial save on all three goals but couldn’t corral the rebounds.

- The OT winner was a beauty by Adam Mascherin. He went end-to-end before backhanding the winner.

- The comeback game is exciting to watch but hardly sustainable. And the Rangers were the first to admit that.

JB’s top three Rangers: Luke Richardson, Greg Meireles, Adam Liska