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OHL Kitchener Rangers

Kitchener Seeks Redemption in London on Saturday

January 20, 2024 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Kitchener Rangers News Release


Kitchener, ON - The Kitchener Rangers are headed to London first place in the OHL on the line as they wrap up their home-and-home weekend with the Knights. The Rangers will get a chance at some redemption on Saturday afternoon after dropping 4-2 decision on Friday night. Puck drop is slated for 4 pm at The Budweiser Gardens.

TV: Rogers Channel 20 (Kitchener)

Video Stream: OHL Live on CHL TV

Radio: 570 AM CKGL

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The Rangers and Knights have a storied rivalry that runs deep as divisional rivals. The two clubs have faced off 36 times since the 2017-18 season. During this time the Rangers' record is 11-24-1-0 against London and when playing on the road their record is 7-11-0-0.

The Rangers and Knights have met twice this season with each team taking a win. On November 5th, the Rangers beat the Knights in their rink 4-2. On Friday night, London had success in Kitchener winning 4-2. In last night's matchup the Rangers went up 2-0 early in the game with goals from Matthew Andonovski and Cameron Mercer. However, the Knights came back and scored four unanswered goals to win the game. Easton Cowan scored two goals and was awarded the first star of the game while Kasper Halttunen and Jacob Julien each had one.

Team Statistics:

Kitchener

Overall Power Play: 5th at 24.8%

Away Power Play: 6th at 23.9%

Overall Penalty Kill: 4th at 81.8%

Away Penalty Kill: 14th at 77%

Knights

Overall Power Play: 1st at 33.3%

Home Power Play: 3rd at 26.9%

Overall Penalty Kill: 2nd at 84.4%

Home Penalty Kill: 2nd at 85.1%

SCOUTING THE RANGERS (30-11-2-0)

1st in the Western Conference, 1st in the OHL / 4th in Week 15 of the CHL Power Rankings

Rangers to Watch:

Hunter Brzustewicz (Vancouver Canucks) is second in the league in points (69), second in assists (61), and is tied for fourth-most power-play assists (17). The defenceman is on a four-game point streak, with seven assists in these four games.

Matthew Andonovski (Ottawa Senators) has been a shutdown defenceman all season for the Rangers. He leads the league in the +/- category at +47, with +14 padding between him and the next player in line. The blueliner is on a three-game point streak with two goals and two assists.

Trent Swick is fourth on the Rangers in points with a 20-28-48 stat line. With his 6'7 frame, the left winger is relied upon in key situations and special teams. Over his last six games played Swick has nine points (3G, 6A).

Between the Pipes:

Jackson Parsons in tandem with Tristan Malboeuf has backstopped the Rangers to the top of the league. Parsons was awarded the third star of the game on Friday night after stopping 33 of 36 shots. The netminder's season record is 18-10-1-0 while his goals-against average is 2.88 which is tied for the second-best in the league and his save percentage is .902. Parsons has the fourth most wins in the OHL and is tied for the most shutouts with four.

SCOUTING THE KNIGHTS (29-11-0-1)

3rd in the Western Conference, 5th in the OHL / 7th in Week 15 of the CHL Power Rankings

Knights to Watch:

Easton Cowan (Toronto Maple Leafs) is tied for second on the Knights in points with a 18-35-53 stat line. The right winger has the second most short-handed goals in the OHL which he demonstrated last night with a goal on the penalty kill against the Rangers. Cowan has four points against the Rangers this season (3G, 1A).

Tied for second in points with Cowan on London is Jacob Julien (Winnipeg Jets). The centreman has a 19-34-53 stat line on the season. Julien is on an eight-game point streak with five goals and 10 assists. Julien scored the game-winning goal last night against the Rangers.

Defender Sam Dickinson has been a driving force for the Knights' back end with 13 goals and 28 assists. Dickinson is ranked seventh on the NHL Central Scouting's mid-term rankings for the top North American skaters eligible for the 2024 NHL draft.

Between the Pipes:

Michael Simpson's numbers prove to be some of the best in the OHL with the best goals-against average at 2.56, the third best save percentage at .909, and the most wins at 23. On London's 13-game win streak, Simpson has suited up in 10 of those wins.

BROADCAST COVERAGE

Saturday's contest vs the London Knights will be televised live throughout Kitchener and the Waterloo Region on Rogers TV, cable channel 20, and can be watched across the province of Ontario on the Super Sports Pak on channel 470 for cable subscribers. The game will be streamed live online on OHL Live on CHL TV. Additionally, fans can listen to Saturday afternoon's action on the radio on CityNews 570 AM CKGL.

UP NEXT:

The Kitchener Rangers will head up to the Soo to face the Greyhounds on Friday, January 26th followed by a game in Saginaw on the 27th. The Rangers return to The Aud on January 30th for some more Rangers and Knights action. You won't want to miss it! Grab your tickets at The Aud Box Office sponsored by White Way Plumbing or online.

Check out the Kitchener Rangers Statistics



Ontario Hockey League Stories from January 20, 2024


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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