Sports stats



OHL Kitchener Rangers

Kitchener Falls to Guelph in Rivalry Matchup

November 25, 2023 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Kitchener Rangers News Release


Kitchener Rangers' Matthew Sop in action
Kitchener Rangers' Matthew Sop in action
(Kitchener Rangers)

Kitchener was up 5-2 at one point in the game, however, gave up six unanswered goals en route to lose 8-6 in the Highway 7 matchup against Guelph. Three long reviews occurred throughout the game that all resulted in goals, and put the crowd to sleep, however, a hat trick by Kitchener native Braeden Bowman brought the excitement back along with a fight involving Roman Schmidt and Vilmer Alriksson.

The game was just the third time Kitchener entered the third period tied this season, occurring in back-to-back nights now this weekend. This was also just the second time Kitchener used both goalies in a game this season.

Scoring Summary:

1st Period

GUE 1, KIT 0

0:37 Braeden Bowman (8) - Jake Karabela

Hunter Brzustewicz held the puck in his zone, and in what is a very rare occurrence, he attempted an ill-advised pass. The puck hit Jake Karabela who sent it to Braeden Bowman who scored on the first shot of the game.

GUE 1, KIT 1

2:41 Antonino Pugliese (9) - Cameron Mercer, Simon Motew

Antonino Pugliese, who has been on a tear lately after scoring four goals on Tuesday, scored early in the game. Pugliese intercepted the puck as it was rimmed around the Storm end-boards. He wrapped it around and pushed the puck in the net to tie the game. The goal was initially called a good goal on the ice but was reviewed twice. The first was initiated by the referees and then it was challenged by Guelph who argued it was goalie interference, but it was determined to be clean.

GUE 1, KIT 2

3:59 Adrian Misaljevic (16) - Matthew Andonovski, Hunter Brzustewicz

Matthew Andonovski held the puck alone atop the Guelph zone off a pass from Hunter Brzustewicz. With time he stepped in and took a snapshot that got tipped by Adrian Misaljevic. The puck drastically changed directions on the deflection and gave Kitchener the lead.

GUE 1, KIT 3

10:20 Filip Mesar (10) - Trent Swick, Matthew Sop

Filip Mesar received the puck from Trent Swick on the breakout and took the puck down low. Down low Mesar attempted to send the puck across ice to Matthew Sop however it hit Guelph goaltender Brayden Gillespie. The puck bounced up and slightly out to Chandler Romeo who tried to bat it out of danger. Instead, he hit it back toward his goalie and gave Kitchener their third unanswered goal of the period.

GUE 2, KIT 3

12:53 Michael Buchinger (5) - Gavin Grunder, Jake Karabela

Andonovski was one-on-one with Gavin Grunder who possessed the puck. Grunder took the puck out wide and drew a penalty on Andonovski but still managed to get a shot off. Tristan Malboeuf saved Grunder's shot, however was run into by Grunder on the play knocking him out of position. Michael Buchinger found the puck out front of an empty net and put it in. A lengthy video review concluded the goal was good, bringing Guelph within one and nullifying Andonovski's delayed penalty.

GUE 2, KIT 4

19:46 Matthew Sop (14) - SHG

Matthew Sop got revenge for yesterday's powerplay mishaps scoring shorthanded off a turnover by Buchinger. Adrian Misaljevic took a four-minute high-sticking penalty with 2:32 remaining in the first, which led to the short-handed opportunity. Sop stole the puck at center ice and skated into the Storm zone on a breakaway for the second time. This attempt was much more successful as he sniped the puck glove side to give the Rangers a two-goal lead heading into intermission.

2nd Period

GUE 2, KIT 5

0:49 Simon Motew (4) - Cameron Reid, Carson Rehkopf

The first shot Damian Slavik would see in relief of Gillespie would be a goal as Motew rocketed the puck in the top corner. 39 seconds into the period, Jett Luchanko took a tripping penalty as Swick was breaking past him nearly on a breakaway. This resulted in 49 seconds of four-on-four. Kitchener won the faceoff and send it back to Reid who sent it cross-ice to Motew who walked in and gave Kitchener their first three-goal lead of the game.

GUE 3, KIT 5

1:12 Zackary Sandhu (3) - Ryan McGuire, Charlie Paquette

Guelph wasted no time responding scoring just 33 seconds later. Zackary Sandhu received a backhand pass at the top of the zone and skated down toward the net. From the faceoff circle, he shot it past Malboeuf and gave Guelph some life.

GUE 4, KIT 5

12:09 Braeden Bowman (9) - Max Namestnikov, Chandler Romeo

Braeden Bowman showed the hand-eye coordination he developed playing baseball growing up, scoring five-hole as he batted the puck in from waist height. The Kitchener product scored his second goal of the game to bring his Storm back within one. The goal was followed with a lengthy review, however, followed suit of the previous two reviews and was deemed a good goal for the Guelph captain.

GUE 5, KIT 5

17:32 Braeden Bowman (10) - Jett Luchanko, Jake Karabela - PPG

Bowman sniped his third goal of the game on the powerplay to tie the game at five each. Sop took a cross-checking penalty with 2:38 to go in the third which led to a Storm powerplay. Jake Karabela sent the puck to Bowman, and he tied the game going top corner through traffic. This was Bowman's first OHL hat trick.

3rd Period

GUE 6, KIT 5

3:56 Jett Luchanko (6) - Vilmer Alriksson

Two-on-two in the Rangers zone, Vilmer Alriksson had one hand on his stick and the puck on his backhand. He sent the puck backhanded, cross-ice with one hand to Jett Luchanko who sniped it over a sprawling Malboeuf. The goal gave Guelph their first lead since 17:08 remained in the first period.

GUE 7, KIT 5

8:34 Max Namestnikov (13) - Wil McFadden, Leo Serlin

A fifth unanswered goal by Guelph ended Malboeuf's night and brought in Jackson Parsons. Will McFadden found Max Namestnikov under pressure. He persevered however while and sent the puck past Malboeuf to give Guelph a two-goal lead.

GUE 8, KIT 5

11:31 Jake Karabela (8) - Michael Buchinger, Braeden Bowman

Guelph would not stop there; a failed clear attempt gave Buchinger the puck at the point. He fired it on net, and it was redirected by Karabela who recorded his fourth point on the night and extended the Storm lead to three.

GUE 8, KIT 6

15:24 Trent Swick (10) - Simon Motew, Cameron Reid

Guelph defender Brayden Hislop tried to catch a puck off Swick's shot from the point. Hislop failed to catch it and it deflected past his goalie giving Swick a new career-high in goals. It brought Kitchener within two late in the game, but it would be as close as they would get.

The Stars:

First Star: Braeden Bowman (3G, 1A)

Second Star: Jake Karabela (1G, 3A)

Third Star: Matthew Sop (1G, 1A)

The Goalies:

Malboeuf played the first 48:34 of the game before being pulled as he gave up seven goals on 19 shots. Parsons finished the game by making seven saves while giving up one goal. Malboeuf was given the loss moving his record to five wins and two losses.

On the other side of the ice, Gillespie made 10 stops of 14 opportunities in the first period before being pulled to start the second. Slavik came in relief for his first home appearance of the season. He made 26 saves on 28 shots in his home debut, recording the win and moving his season record to two wins and two losses.

The Numbers Game:

Shots: GUE 27, KIT 42

Powerplay: GUE 2-7, KIT 1-4

FO%: GUE 39.7%, KIT 60.3%

Up Next: Kitchener travels to Flint for their third game of the weekend tomorrow. They finish their three-game road trip Wednesday in Erie. The East Avenue Blue will return home for their first contest of December on Friday for a 7 pm affair against the Niagara IceDogs. This will be the only time the IceDogs will make the trip to Kitchener. Kitchener won 7-4 on October 18th, the only other time the two teams will play this season. Tickets can be purchased at The Aud box office sponsored by White Way Plumbing or online.

Check out the Kitchener Rangers Statistics




Images from this story

Kitchener Rangers' Matthew Sop in action
Kitchener Rangers' Matthew Sop in action
   



Ontario Hockey League Stories from November 25, 2023


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.

Other Recent Kitchener Rangers Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central