OHL Kitchener Rangers

Greenfield, Bailey Lead Rangers to Victory over Knights

Published on October 3, 2014 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Kitchener Rangers News Release


Justin Bailey scored twice for the Kitchener Rangers in a 4-1 win over the London Knights at the Budweiser Gardens on Friday. Matthew Greenfield earned first star honours after stopping 30 of 31 shots he faced, and sophomore Ryan MacInnis added three assists for Kitchener.

The Rangers opened the scoring just past the 14 minute mark of the first period, capitalizing on a two-man power play opportunity. Rookie Gustaf Franzen faked a shot, sending the puck across the blueline to overage rearguard Max Iafrate. The Michigan native's one-timer beat Knights starter Michael Giugovaz, giving him his first goal of the 2014-15 season. The second assist was credited to sophomore Ryan MacInnis.

London responded with a power play marker of their own less than two minutes later. Max Domi collected the puck in the neutral zone and carried it over the blueline to the Rangers net. The Coyotes prospect sent a backhand pass to veteran Brett Welychka in front of the crease and the overage winger chipped it in for his second of the year.

The deadlock was short-lived, however, as the Rangers quickly regained the lead. Import defenceman Dmitrii Sergeev recorded the first goal of his sophomore season when his centring pass deflected off a skate in front of the Knights net and between the pads of Giugovaz. The St. Louis Blues prospect's tally was assisted by Justin Bailey and MacInnis.

Kitchener led shots on goal 11-9 after 20 minutes.

The Rangers retained their one goal advantage through a scoreless second period. Starting netminder Matthew Greenfield stopped all ten shots he faced in the frame, while Giugovaz made nine saves for the Knights.

Bailey's second goal in as many games extended the Rangers lead to two goals early in the third period. The Buffalo Sabres prospect was the team's Most Valuable Player in 2013-14 after tying for the team lead with 25 goals. His second of this season was assisted by MacInnis, who earned a helper on each of Kitchener's first three goals.

An empty net goal with less than 90 seconds to play secured a 4-1 win for the Rangers. The unassisted tally was Bailey's second of the night.

The Knights continued to out-shoot the Rangers in the third period, leading shots on goal by a 12-7 margin. Greenfield stopped 30 of the 31 shots he faced, and secured the evening's first star honours.

With the win, the Rangers improve to 2-1-0-0 on the season.

Scoring

1. KIT M. Iafrate, (1) (G. Franzen, R. MacInnis), 14:07 (PP)

1. LDN B. Welychka, (2) (M. Domi, M. Marner), 15:53 (PP)

1. KIT D. Sergeev, (1) (J. Bailey, R. MacInnis), 16:45

3. KIT J. Bailey, (2) (R. MacInnis), 5:54

3. KIT J. Bailey, (3) (unassisted), 18:36 (EN)

Attendance: 9016

Three Stars

1. KIT - 31 Matthew Greenfield

2. LDN - 16 Max Domi

3. KIT - 95 Justin Bailey

The Rangers will travel to Oshawa on Sunday, October 5 for a 6:05pm meeting with the Generals. The team returns to the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium on Friday, October 10 to host the Erie Otters at 7:30pm. Tickets to all Kitchener Rangers home games are now available by phone at 519-578-1570 or 1-800-265-8977, via the internet at www.centre-square.com or in person at the Centre In the Square Box Office or the Kitchener Auditorium Box Office.

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from October 3, 2014


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