OHL Kitchener Rangers

Bunnaman, Davies Score in Game 2 Loss

Published on March 29, 2015 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Kitchener Rangers News Release


Connor Bunnaman and Mike Davies each recorded their first career playoff goal in the Kitchener Rangers 6-2 loss to the London Knights on Sunday afternoon. The Knights lead the best-of-seven series 2-0.

London opened the scoring early in the first period, taking advantage of their first power play opportunity. Max Domi connected with Christian Dvorak beside the net, and the Arizona Coyotes prospect passed it through the crease to leading scorer Mitchell Marner. The draft eligible forward swept a shot past Rangers starter Jake Paterson for his third of the series.

The Knights added a second power play marker with less than nine minutes to play in the first. Owen MacDonald had his shot blocked by Paterson, but was able to shovel a pass to Josh Sterk. The former Rangers forward lifted a shot over the netminder's glove for his first of the playoffs. Marner earned his second point of the afternoon with a helper on the play.

Domi extended the Knights lead to 3-0 with an unassisted shorthanded marker. The captain picked up the puck in his own zone and carried it down the ice, bouncing a shot past the blocker of Paterson for his first of the postseason.

The Rangers got one back with 1:25 left to play in the first, capitalising on a late-frame man advantage. Brandon Robinson's shot on goal was turned aside by Tyler Parsons, but rookie Connor Bunnaman was at the crease to push the rebound between the goaltender's pads. Bunnaman's first career Ontario Hockey League playoff goal was also assisted by Dmitrii Sergeev.

London outshot Kitchener 11-9 in the opening 20 minutes.

The Knights continued to push early in the middle frame, scoring 49 second in to restore their three goal advantage. Julian Bergman collected Sterk's pass from behind the net and chipped a shot past Paterson for the first tally of his playoff campaign. Matt Rupert also picked up an assist on the import defenceman's goal.

Marner added his second of the game 6:30 into the period, picking up Domi's pass from the end boards and snapping it over Paterson for his fourth of the series.

The goal prompted Kitchener to make a goaltending change, sending Dawson Carty to the crease in relief of Paterson.

Kitchener led shots on goal 16-6 in the middle frame.

Marner completed the hat trick four minutes into the final frame, forcing a shorthanded turnover and jumping on the loose puck. The sophomore fired high over Carty's blocker, giving him eight career playoff goals.

The Rangers added a goal on a late period man advantage, cutting their deficit to 6-2. Frank Hora's long shot was tipped past Parsons by sophomore Mike Davies. His first career OHL playoff goal was also assisted by Doug Blaisdell.

Kitchener out-shot the Knights 18-15 in the third and 43-32 overall.

London leads the best-of-seven Western Conference Quarterfinal 2-0. Game 3 is Tuesday night at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium.

Scoring

1. LDN M. Marner, (3) (C. Dvorak, M. Domi), 1:30

1. LDN J. Sterk, (1) (O. MacDonald, M. Marner), 11:41 (PP)

1. LDN M. Domi, (1) (unassisted), 15:43 (SH)

1. KIT C. Bunnaman, (1) (B. Robinson, D. Sergeev), 18:35 (PP)

2. LDN J. Bergman, (1) (J. Sterk, M. Rupert), 0:49

2. LDN M. Marner, (4) (M. Domi), 6:30

3. LDN M. Marner, (5) (unassisted), 4:04 (SH)

3. KIT M. Davies (1) (F. Hora, D. Blaisdell), 17:56 (PP)

Attendance: 8371

Three Stars

1. LDN - 93 Mitchell Marner

2. LDN - 16 Max Domi

3. LDN - 1 Tyler Parsons

The Rangers will host the London Knights in home playoff games on: March 31, April 2 and April 5* at 7:00pm. (*if required). Tickets for home playoff games are on sale now! Don't miss a minute of the action: Playoff tickets may be purchased by phone at 519-578-1570 or 1-800-265-8977, via the internet or in person at The Aud Box Office or Centre in the Square.

Check out the Kitchener Rangers Statistics

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from March 29, 2015


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