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OHL Kitchener Rangers

Bracco Nets Four Points, Richardson Makes 39 Saves in Rangers 6-1 Win over Attack

December 11, 2015 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Kitchener Rangers News Release


A lot of people were confused when USA Hockey left Jeremy Bracco off their list of players named to their preliminary roster for the World Junior Championships. But after what he did tonight, Rangers fans couldn't be happier he's sticking around.

Jeremy Bracco had a four point night, scoring twice and adding a pair of assists, as the Kitchener Rangers (23-3-3-0) soundly defeated the Owen Sound Attack (11-12-4-2) by a score of 6-1 in front of 7,066 fans at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium on Friday night.

Bracco's impressive night made him one of four Rangers with multi-point games, as linemate Ryan MacInnis finished with three assists, and Mason Kohn and Miles Liberati each finished with a goal and an assist apiece.

Whatever the inspiration and motivation may be for Bracco's efficient night, the Rangers will take it. The 18-year-old from Freeport, New York is now riding a modest three-game point streak, registering three goals and four assists for seven points in that span.

Speaking of point streaks, MacInnis' three-points tonight increased his streak to a meaty 12 games, as he now boasts seven goals and 12 assists for 19 points during those dozen games.

In goal, the Rangers once again got a promising effort from Luke - but this time, it was the rookie, Luke Richardson. Shortly before game time it was decided that Richardson would get the start with Luke Opilka battling a bit of a bug, but the short notice didn't bother the budding netminder in the least.

"I prepare for all the games the same way, even if I don't expect to start," said the poised Richardson, post-game. "You just never know what will happen, so when I got the call to start I was focused enough and prepared enough to get the win."

It was just the second OHL start for Richardson (2-0-0-0), who also faced the Attack in his debut back on November 14th. He was once again cool and composed, stopping 39 of 40 Owen Sound shots he faced.

"It always feels good to get a win at such a high level like the OHL, and I'm looking forward to getting many more," he said.

Michael McNiven was his counterpart at the other end of the ice and suffered the loss, allowing six goals on 33 shots.

It was the first time this season the Rangers and Attack didn't end a game against one another in overtime, as the Rangers spread their offense evenly amongst all three periods with a pair of goals in each.

The Rangers opened the scoring on a Liberati slap shot from the point at 4:31 of the first period, assisted by Kohn and Bracco. Just over ten minutes later, with a crowd in front of the Owen Sound goal, an initial Rangers shot on net deflected off both McNiven and Rangers centre Jacob Cascagnette before crossing the goal line. The goal was reviewed but the call on the ice as a good goal was quickly upheld and the Rangers took a 2-0 lead. Mark Bzowey and Nick McHugh picked up the assists on the goal at 14:45 which closed out the first period scoring. Shots were 12-8 Kitchener after the opening frame.

The Rangers took a 3-0 lead when Bracco fed an open Kohn in the slot at 1:18 of the second period, with MacInnis picking up the second assist. David Miller found the back of the net for his third goal in four games just 2:15 later, giving the Rangers a 5-0 lead from Adam Mascherin and Elijah Roberts at 3:33.

Attack captain Santino Centorame broke the goose egg for the visitors, getting his team on the board with a power play goal at 9:43, assisted by Josh Sterk and Bryson Cianfrone. The Rangers would take a 4-1 lead into the second intermission, but were outshot 19-11 in the middle frame for a two-period total of 27-23 in favour of Owen Sound.

Bracco picked up his third point of the night with his sixth goal of the season, giving the Rangers a 5-1 lead at 1:31 of the third period from Liberati and MacInnis. He would then tally his second goal and fourth point of the night at 11:39 from MacInnis and Doug Blaisdell to expand the Rangers lead to 6-1, which is how things would finish. Final shots were 40-33 in favour of the Attack.

Owen Sound was 1-for-4 on the power play, while the Rangers were 0-for-2 with the man advantage.

MacInnis, Gustaf Franzen and Frank Hora each wore 'A's and skated as alternate captains for the game.

MacInnis (3), Richardson (2) and Bracco (1) were chosen as the Three Stars of the Game.

The Rangers are back in action on Sunday, December 13th when they travel to Windsor to take on the Spitfires at 2:05pm. They wrap up their pre-holiday schedule on the road in London when they face the Knights on Wednesday, December 16th at 7pm, then host the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds Friday, December 18th at 7:30pm.

Tickets for Friday, and other future Rangers home games, are available online at kitchenerrangers.com, by calling Centre in the Square, or through The Aud Box Office.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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