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Kitchener Rangers

Rangers Take 3-1 Series Lead

March 28, 2013 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Kitchener Rangers News Release


A 40-save effort from John Gibson led the Kitchener Rangers to a 2-1 victory over the Guelph Storm on Thursday night. Radek Faksa scored once and added an assist, while Joshua Leivo added the game winner for the Rangers. Kitchener takes a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference Quarterfinal series, which shifts back to the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium for Game 5 on Friday night.

The Rangers opened the scoring 11 minutes into the opening frame, when Matt Puempel's centering pass was collected by Radek Faksa in the high slot. The Dallas Stars prospect spun around his defender and fired a high shot past the glove hand of netminder Garret Sparks. Faksa's second of the playoffs was also assisted by Jared Gilbert, his first career postseason point.

The Storm led shots on goal 16-8 after 20 minutes.

The teams skated through a scoreless middle frame. Kitchener goaltender John Gibson stopped all 13 shots he faced, while the Rangers fired eight at Sparks.

Joshua Leivo extended the Rangers lead to 2-0 midway through the third period. With Kitchener on the power play, the Toronto Maple Leafs prospect snapped the puck into the top corner of the net over the blocker-side shoulder of Sparks. Faksa earned his second point of the night with a helper on Leivo's first of the series. Rearguard Evan McEneny also assisted on the play.

The Storm got on the board less than two minutes later, capitalizing on a 4-on-3 power play opportunity. Zack Mitchell converted a cross-crease pass into his first of the postseason, with assists from Brock McGinn and Tanner Richard.

The Rangers led shots on goal 16-12 in the final frame, but the Storm finished with a 41-32 overall advantage. Gibson made 40 saves to pick up his third win of the playoffs and was named the contest's first star.

Kitchener leads the best-of-seven series 3-1. The teams return to The Aud on Friday, March 29 for Game 5.

Scoring

1. KIT R. Faksa, (2) (J. Gilbert, M. Puempel), 10:59

3. KIT J. Leivo, (1) (R. Faksa, E. McEneny), 9:50 (PP)

3. GUE Z. Mitchell, (1) (B. McGinn, T. Richard), 11:35 (PP)

Attendance: 4955

Three Stars

1. KIT - 35 John Gibson

2. GUE - 40 Garret Sparks

3. KIT - 17 Joshua Leivo

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