Murphy Scores Game Winner in Belleville
Published on January 21, 2012 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Kitchener Rangers News Release
The Kitchener Rangers defeated the Belleville Bulls 5-4 on Saturday night. Zach Lorentz scored twice, while Ryan Murphy notched the game winning goal and added three helpers.
The Rangers took advantage of a first period power play, opening the scoring at the 7:24 mark. Zach Lorentz pounced on a rebound in front and shoveled it by Bulls' starter Charlie Graham for his 16th of the season. The sophomore winger has scored in three consecutive games. Assisting on the goal were Ryan Murphy and Ben Thomson.
Eric Ming made it 2-0 Kitchener at the halfway point of the first period. The second-year forward tipped in Murphy's shot from the point for his seventh of the year and second point in as many games.
The Bulls out-shot the Rangers 12-11 in the opening frame.
Kitchener extended its lead to three in the second period. Radek Faksa found Lorentz to the right of Graham and he launched a shot into the back of the net. His second of the game came at the four minute mark and brought his season total to 17. Faksa leads all OHL rookies with 40 points this season.
Scott Simmonds' second of the season put the Bulls on the board with under 13 minutes remaining in the frame. He tipped the puck past netminder Franky Palazzese blocker-side, with assists from former Ranger Branden Morris and Garrett Hooey.
Belleville continued to lead shots on goal with a 13-5 advantage in the second period.
Tobias Rieder scored his fifth short-handed goal to put the Rangers ahead 4-1 in the third period. He raced in and threw a forehand shot by Graham blocker-side for his team-leading 24th of the year. Captain Michael Catenacci and Murphy picked up assists on the play,
Hooey answered quickly for Belleville when he collected the puck in front of Palazzese and fired one by Palazzese on the power play. His eighth of the season matched his total from last season, assisted by Jordan Subban and Mayer.
Austen Brassard cut Kitchener's lead to 4-3 with a shot that flew in high glove-side. The third-year veteran leads all Bulls with 22 goals this season. Adam Payerl and Jason Shaw were credited with the helpers.
Belleville continued to press and evened the score on the power player. Hooey's second of the game came at 13:50 with assists from Michael Curtis and Subban. It was the first career multi-goal game for the forward.
Murphy's fourth point of the night was an unassisted goal that rifled by Graham and put the Rangers ahead 5-4, with three and half minutes to play. The veteran blueliner has nine points in his last three outings and a total of 22 on the year.
The Bulls out-shot Kitchener 17-8 in the final frame and 42-24 overall. Palazzese made 38 saves for his fourth win in five starts.
A third consecutive victory improves the Rangers' record to 30-12-1-0 while the Bulls fall to 22-21-1-0.
Ontario Hockey League Stories from January 21, 2012
- Gens Blow Out Kingston - Oshawa Generals
- Murphy Scores Game Winner in Belleville - Kitchener Rangers
- Otters Stopped in Overtime, 2-1 - Erie Otters
- IceDogs Fall to Wolves 4-3 - Niagara IceDogs
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