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OHL Kitchener Rangers

No Luck in Guelph on St. Patrick's Day

March 17, 2024 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Kitchener Rangers News Release


Kitchener Rangers left wing Justin Bottineau
Kitchener Rangers left wing Justin Bottineau
(Kitchener Rangers, Credit: Gar Fitzgerald / Guelph Storm)

Kitchener couldn't mend the storm in today's matinee matchup against Guelph. Their Midwest Division foes scored with 1:32 remaining in the contest to put themselves ahead and held onto the lead in a tight game. With the loss, the season series between the two Highway 7 rivals moves to 5-2 Rangers with one more game taking place on Tuesday in Kitchener.

A pair of milestones were hit today as Matthew Sop played in his 200th career OHL game and Carson Rehkopf scored his 100th career OHL goal. With his goal and assist Luca Romano extended his point streak to four games where he has recorded eight points. Rehkopf, Hunter Brzustewicz, and Luke Ellinas have all recorded four points in their past two games.

Scoring Summary:

1st Period

GUE 1, KIT 0

6:52 Charlie Paquette (17) - Michael Buchinger, Jett Luchanko

Charlie Paquette put Guelph on the board first knocking in a rebound five-hole. Jett Luchanko poked the puck up to the blueline to Michael Buchinger who walked the line eventually firing a wrist shot on goal. The rebound bounced out to Paquette who pounced on it and put it behind Jackson Parsons.

GUE 2, KIT 0

7:21 Jake Karabela (22) - Braeden Bowman, Jett Luchanko

Jake Karabela wasted no time doubling the Storm lead, scoring 29 seconds after their first. The puck was chipped out launching Braeden Bowman and Jake Karabela on a two-on-one with Carson Rehkopf as the lone Ranger back. Bowman sent the puck cross-ice to Karabela who one-timed the puck behind Jackson Parsons' blocker side.

2nd Period

GUE 2, KIT 1

6:35 Tanner Lam (12) - Luke Ellinas, Luca Romano

Tanner Lam cut the lead in half using his slick hands when all alone in front of the net to find the twine. Luke Ellinas sent a pass cross-ice to Lam through traffic leaving Lam alone in front. Lam faked to his backhand before popping the puck forehand past Damian Slavik to cut the lead in half.

GUE 2, KIT 2

6:50 Luca Romano (10)

Luca Romano wasn't going to wait around to tie the game, scoring 15 seconds after Tanner Lam's goal. Romano charged hard on the forecheck down to the net as the puck bounced out to him and tucked it in for the equalizer.

GUE 2, KIT 3

9:29 Carson Rehkopf (52) - Trent Swick, Hunter Brzustewicz

Carson Rehkopf scored the Rangers third unanswered goal to take the lead. Hunter Brzustewicz stopped Guelph's breakout attempt and sent the puck down to the slot to Trent Swick. Swick recognized Rehkopf sitting open beside the net and rifled a pass to him. Rehkopf roofed the puck over a sprawling Damian Slavik for his 100th career OHL goal.

GUE 3, KIT 3

12:29 Gavin Grundner (6) - Rylan Singh, Michael Buchinger

Gavin Grundner worked hard to keep the puck down low in the Rangers zone before skating up to the net and attempting to center the puck. Jackson Parsons used his paddle to intercept the pass, however, Grundner crashed the net and poked the loose puck in.

GUE 4, KIT 3

13:57 Cam Allen (2) - Charlie Paquette

Cam Allen reestablished the lead for Guelph off a lucky bounce. Charlie Paquette passed Cam Allen the puck from the slot to the top of the faceoff circle. Allen walked in and fired the puck in on the net, creating a rebound that hit an unlucky bounce before squeaking past Jackson Parsons and across the red line.

3rd Period

GUE 4, KIT 4

9:30 Simon Motew (10) - Adrian Misaljevic

Simon Motew silenced the crowd ripping the puck low blocker to tie the game. Entering the zone Adrian Misaljevic slipped a beautiful pass to set Motew up on his forehand. He carried the puck down before rifling the puck in for his 10th of the campaign.

GUE 5, KIT 4

18:28 Charlie Paquette (18) - Gavin Grundner, Max Namestnikov

Guelph pulled back ahead with 1:32 remaining off the stick of Charlie Paquette. Gavin Grundner held the puck in the slot and fired it on Jackson Parsons. The rebound bounced out to Charlie Paquette who put it behind Parsons before he could recover.

The Stars:

First Star: Charlie Paquette (2G, 1A)

Second Star: Luca Romano (1G, 1A)

Third Star: Gavin Grundner (1G, 1A)

The Goalies:

Damian Slavik got the win for Guelph making 26 saves on 30 shots. He moved his season record to 7-5-3-0. Jackson Parsons was in the net for the Rangers, making 19 saves on 24 shots and moving his season record to 27-17-1-0.

The Numbers Game:

Shots: GUE 30, KIT 24

Power play: GUE 0-0, KIT 0-3

FO%: GUE 47.2%, KIT 52.8%

Up Next: The last week of the regular season includes two home games and a one-game road trip. Kitchener returns to The Aud Tuesday for a rematch against the Guelph Storm for the final installment of the battle of Highway 7 this season. They play again at home Friday against the Eastern Conference-leading Oshawa Generals before traveling to Erie next Saturday for the final matchup of the regular season against the Otters. Tickets for all Kitchener home games 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 left wing Justin Bottineau
Kitchener Rangers left wing Justin Bottineau
(Gar Fitzgerald / Guelph Storm)		   



Ontario Hockey League Stories from March 17, 2024


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