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OHL Kitchener Rangers

Mississauga Snaps Kitchener's Win Streak

October 21, 2023 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Kitchener Rangers News Release


Kitchener Rangers' Cameron Reid and Jackson Parsons in action
Kitchener Rangers' Cameron Reid and Jackson Parsons in action
(Kitchener Rangers)

Mississauga, ON - Pink in the rink night for Mississauga leads them to a 4-1 victory, snapping the Rangers' four-game win streak. Carson Rehkopf scored the Rangers' only goal of the night which extended the point streaks of Hunter Brzustewicz, Matthew Sop and himself, in the loss.

The Rangers entered the Saturday afternoon game on a four-game win streak. Brzustewicz entered the matchup leading the league in points and assists, while Rehkopf led the league in goals and was second in points, and Adrian Misaljevic and Luke Misa were tied for third in OHL points. All in all, the top four OHL point-getters faced off in this afternoon contest.

Mississauga got the scoring started early off an unfortunate deflection on Rehkopf. Stevie Leskovar took a shot from the point which deflected off Rehkopf's stick, breaking it and deflecting the puck directly to Zander Veccia, who tipped it behind Jackson Parsons. The goal was scored 3:21 into the game and was also assisted by Adam Zidlicky who was drafted by Kitchener in 2021. Zidlicky played 92 games for the Rangers recording 11 goals and 14 assists for 25 points for the Rangers.

The Steelheads had many other high-danger opportunities including a short-handed breakaway for Porter Martone however, Parsons shut the door. They then made it 2-0 on the powerplay with 3:40 remaining in the first period. Eight seconds into the powerplay Mason Zebeski scored as the puck slid its way through three players before finding him to bury it. This goal was assisted by Luke Misa and Chas Sharpe. The assist tied Misa with Rehkopf for second in OHL points.

The period ended 2-0 Steelheads and the shots were tied at 11 apiece. Mississauga ended the period 53 seconds into a Rangers penalty and started the second with 1:07 remaining on the powerplay.

Ryerson Leenders had a solid second period. The Steelheads goaltender made a handful of top tier saves in the period heighted by a save of the year candidate on OHL goals leader Rehkopf. Sop sent a no-look cross-ice pass to Rehkopf who one-timed it but was met with a spectacular glove save.

Mississauga scored their third unanswered goal with 7:43 remaining in the second period. Justin DeZoete scored as he drove the net, protecting the puck on his backhand, and fired it in tight to put it behind Parsons. MacGregor Richmond and William Eggleton recorded assists on DeZoete's first goal and point of the year.

The second period ended four on four as the game would remain 3-0 Steelheads for the remainder of the period. The third period started with 28 seconds of four-on-four before switching to a Rangers' powerplay. The score after two was 3-0 Mississauga, however, Kitchener led in shots 22-19.

The third period has lots of back-and-forth play highlighted by goaltending on both sides. Parsons kept the Rangers in the game with many difficult saves throughout. With 13:35 remaining in the third period Marc Boudreau went on a shorthanded breakaway and made a deke going forehand to backhand before being met by Parsons' glove. He continued to keep them within three despite facing many high-danger opportunities throughout the period.

Parsons went to the bench with 3:45 remaining in the game for an extra attacker. The Rangers called for a timeout to attempt to break through Leenders. They were successful as Rehkopf shot a dart of a shot for his 11th goal of the young season. This goal extended his goal streak to five games and point streak to six games in which he's recorded a total of 15 points. This point launched Rehkopf to a solo second place in points as Brzustewicz extended his lead in OHL assists and kept him atop the OHL points leaderboard. The assist brings Brzustewicz to a nine-game point streak as he has recorded a point in all games except the first. He has recorded a total of 20 points on the streak. Sop extended his point streak to five games as well on the goal. Sop's recorded 13 points during his point streak.

Coach Jussi Ahokas took Parsons back out with 3:03 remaining in the game but Mississauga would capitalize as Lucas Karmiris took the puck away in the neutral zone and passed it to Porter Martone who put the Steelheads back up three, by a score of 4-1.

The Rangers went 0/6 on the powerplay and 3/4 on the kill. Parsons made 26 of 29 shots while Leenders made 35 saves on 36 shots. The three stars of the game were all Steelheads, the first star was Leenders who recorded his seventh win of the year, the second star of the game was Veccia with a goal and the third star of the game was Zebeski who also recorded a goal.

Up Next: Kitchener returns to The Aud on Tuesday, October 24th, to take on the Sarnia Sting. Filip Mesar will make his return to the OHL for his season debut. He has spent the beginning of the year playing for the Laval Rockets of the American Hockey League (AHL) where he recorded one assist in two games played. Mesar who recorded 51 points in 52 games last season with the Rangers will add to the Rangers explosive offense. Tickets for Tuesday's game can be found at The AAudbox office sponsored by White Way Plumbing or online.

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Kitchener Rangers' Cameron Reid and Jackson Parsons in action
Kitchener Rangers' Cameron Reid and Jackson Parsons in action
   



Ontario Hockey League Stories from October 21, 2023


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