Kitchener: 20-22-3-0, fourth in Midwest Division
Sault Ste. Marie: 31-10-4-1, first in West Division
Head to head: Soo leads 2-0.
Game time: 2:07 p.m.
Skinny: Kitchener saw its two game winning streak end with a surprising 7-2 loss to the OHL worst Flint Firebirds on Friday. Now, the Rangers face one of the top teams in the league up in the Soo. The ‘Hounds have won seven straight games including an 8-2 romp over Peterborough last night.
Keep an eye on: Soo F Morgan Frost has 19 points in seven games since the OHL trade deadline and has six points in two games against the Rangers this season.
Additional reading: Rangers flame out against Firebirds
Kitchener:
Rickard Hugg-Riley Damiani-Ryan Stepien
Mike Petizian-Greg Meireles-Jonathan Yantsis
Joseph Garreffa-Alexey Lipanov-Reid Valade
Arber Xhekaj-Isaac Langdon-Graham Dickerson
Michael Vukojevic-Kyle Gentles
Justin MacPherson-Cole Cameron
Joseph Rupoli-Donovan Sebrango
Lucas Pfeil (5-6-1-0) starts.
Sault Ste. Marie:
Keeghan Howdeshell-Morgan Frost-Ryan Roth
Tye Kartye-Barrett Hayton-Jaden Peca
Zack Trott-Joe Carroll-Cullen McLean
Rory Kerins-Alex Johnston-Brett Jacklin
Jacob LeGuerrier-Jordan Sambrook
Ryan O'Rourke-Mac Hollowell
Robert Calisti-Holden Wale
Matthew Villalta (23-6-3-0) starts.
Brownie points:
- Nice to see Petizian back on the second line. The chemistry on that unit has been tight. And Petizian responded by scoring his first since Nov. 17.
- Kitchener's start was going to say a lot about how they handled Friday's embarrassment and they delivered with a 2-1 lead on the scoreboard and 15-3 advantage in shots in the first period. The Rangers also upped their physical play which was encouraging.
- The Soo scored on their first shot on net as Rory Kerins snuck behind the Rangers' blueliners.
- Kitchener got a full five-on-three in the first and the league's top rated power play (tied with Niagara) delivered with a PP goal off Joseph Garreffa's blade.
- The Soo rebounded from that one-sided first to dominate the second. Outshot Kitchener 14-5 and took a 3-2 lead.
- The Greyhounds sure have a keeper in D Ryan O'Rourke (last pick of the first round). Scored a goal but was way more impressive in the d-zone. Looks like a vet out there.
- Holden Wale got cut in the second. The TV announcers described it as "Wale has some leakage." First time I've heard that term for someone who is bleeding.
- Credit the Rangers who fought back for the OT win. The Blueshirts were 0-18-2-0 when trailing after two periods this season before today's tilt.
- What a pass from Rickard Hugg to set up the OT winner. A slick backhand delivery to Yantsis for his 34th of the season.
- A 4-3 loss in OT and ALL three stars are 'Hounds. No words.
JB's top three Rangers: Jonathan Yantsis, Michael Vukojevic, Richard Hugg