OHL Kitchener Rangers

Rangers Spread out Offense in 5-1 Victory, Pull Even in Series

Published on April 11, 2012 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Kitchener Rangers News Release


Five different Kitchener Rangers scored in a 5-1 win over the Plymouth Whalers on Wednesday night. Tobias Rieder and Michael Catenacci each recorded a goal and an assist in the victory, while John Gibson recorded 38 saves for the Rangers. With the victory, Kitchener evens the best-of-seven series at 2-2.

The Whalers opened the scoring halfway through the first period, when Rickard Rakell's shot from inside the face-off circle flew by the blocker of Kitchener netminder John Gibson. The Swedish import's first goal of this series was his second of the postseason, assisted by Tom Wilson.

The lead was short lived as the Rangers pulled even just 76 seconds later. Max Iafrate fired a long shot that soared by Whalers keeper Scott Wedgewood for his second of the playoffs. The goal was Iafrate's first of the series against his former club, with Ben Fanelli and Ben Thomson picking up assists on the play.

Kitchener pulled ahead with just over three minutes remaining in the opening period. Cody Sol's shot from just inside the blueline was stopped by Wedgewood, but Radek Faksa was in front of the net to collect the rebound and shovel it in. The goal was the first of the series for Faksa, who missed the first two games with an injury. The Czech import has two goals in six games this postseason. Ryan Murphy was also credited with an assist as the Rangers took a 2-1 lead into the intermission.

The Whalers out-shot Rangers 14-11 through the opening 20 minutes of play.

The Rangers took advantage of an early second period power play opportunity and extended their lead to two goals. Just nine seconds into the man-advantage, Tobias Rieder backhanded the puck over Wedgewood, recording his league-leading ninth of the playoffs. Assisting on the play were veterans Michael Catenacci and Andrew Crescenzi.

Eric Ming's first career playoff goal pushed Kitchener to a 4-1 lead with eight minutes remaining in the frame. The Rangers applied pressure in the Whalers zone and after Wedgewood made a save on Zach Lorentz, Ming stuck with the play and hammered the puck into the net. Thomson picked up his second assist of the night on the play.

Kitchener dominated shots on goal 19-9 in the second frame.

Catenacci added an empty net goal with 1:21 remaining in the final period, his fourth tally in his last two games. Rieder picked up his second point of the game with an assist, while Gibson got the play going from his crease and was credited with the second helper. Catenacci continues to lead the OHL with 21 points in the postseason.

The Whalers held a 16-10 advantage in shots on goal in the third, but the Rangers finished the game with a 40-39 overall advantage. Gibson made 38 saves in the win as was named the contest's first star.

With the victory, the Rangers pull even in the best-of-seven semi-final series, now knotted at two games apiece. The series continues Saturday, April 14 in Plymouth before returning to Kitchener for Game 6 on Sunday, April 15.

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from April 11, 2012


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