Pinelli Records Hat-Trick In Rangers' 5-1 Victory Over Guelph Saturday
December 3, 2022 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Kitchener Rangers News Release
Guelph, Ont. - The Kitchener Rangers improved to 3-1 over their highway-seven rivals Guelph Storm after posting a 5-1 road victory in front of 3,984 fans at the Sleeman Centre Saturday. Rangers' captain Francesco Pinelli (Los Angeles Kings) recorded a hat-trick for a four-point night in his return since suspension and Marcus Vandenberg was impressive in net, making 22 saves on 23 shots in the victory.
Not much happening in the opening frame as both teams were staying patient and waiting for either team to make a mistake. Two strong penalty kills by the Rangers kept Guelph off the board.
Some late period antics as with 47 seconds left in the period Kitchener took advantage of a slow Guelph backcheck and opened the scoring shorthanded. Reid Valade was sprung into open ice by Roman Schmidt (Tampa Bay Lightning) skating into the Guelph zone waiting for Matthew Sop to give him support feeding him a pass across the ice. Matthew dragged the puck from the right side of the net to the left, sliding the puck around the leg of Jacob Oster.
Kitchener led after one period by a score of 1-0 and shots favoured the East Avenue Blue 9-5.
Kitchener used the momentum from the late goal in the first period to score four second period goals, making it five unanswered in the game.
Carons Rehkopf recorded his 8th power-play goal and 12th goal of the year on a classic Carson snapshot from the left faceoff circle beating Jacob Oster over the right shoulder. Francesco Pinelli then added to his team leading goal tally recording his 14th of the season on a similar shot but from the other side of the ice beating the Guelph netminder under the glove. Five minutes into the second period and it was 3-0 Kitchener.
Hunter Brzustewicz recording two more power-play assists in the game picking up a primary assist on the Rehkopf goal and a secondary assist on the Pinelli goal.
Francesco Pinelli scored another two goals in the period to complete the hattrick and the last three Kitchener goals. A shot stopped by Jacob Oster fell into the slot and with everybody else tied up in front of the goal, Pinelli slapped a shot through the five-hole. Then with 34 seconds left in the period, Franceso completed the hattrick on a slot shot using the Guelph defender as a screen beating the Guelph goaltender along the ice by the left post. It seems like the rest served Francesco well itching to get back into battle with his teammates.
Kitchener led by a commanding 5-0 advantage heading into the second intermission and shots favoured the Blueshirts 23-16.
Kitchener saw the game out for most of the third period, but Guelph was awarded a 5-on-3 for 58 seconds. Just as the first penalty expired Cam Allen ripped a shot into the right corner over the glove of Marcus Vandenberg. The was the only shot beating Marcus tonight as he was sharp the whole night stopping 22 of a possible 23 shots directed his way.
The final score in the one was Kitchener 5 - Guelph 1. Final shots favoured the Rangers 31-23. Kitchener ended the game 2/5 on the power-play and 4/5 on the penalty kill. All three stars of the game were awarded to members of the Kitchener Rangers:
Next Game:
Help make holiday dreams come true on Tuesday, December 6th, at the 27th Annual TEDDY BEAR TOSS GAME presented by Canadian Tire Jumpstart, Giving kids a sporting chance. The Kitchener Rangers host the Guelph Storm at 7 p.m. and ask you to bring a NEW teddy bear to the game. Immediately following the Rangers' first goal, throw your bear onto the ice surface! Bears will then be collected & turned over to local charitable organizations just in time for Christmas. Great seats are still available and can be purchased here.
Registration Open for Teddy Bear Toss Recipients:
The Rangers have donated 172,267 bears in the 27-year history of the event. Individuals, groups, and organizations wanting bears, may register at the link here and follow instructions on how to access the venue for pick up.
Ontario Hockey League Stories from December 3, 2022
- Spitfires Sweep Weekend With 5-2 Win Over Barrie - Windsor Spitfires
- Pinelli Records Hat-Trick In Rangers' 5-1 Victory Over Guelph Saturday - Kitchener Rangers
- Four-Goal 2nd Period Sinks Spirit Against Sting - Saginaw Spirit
- Simpson Shines as Petes Blanked by Battalion 3-0 - Peterborough Petes
- Downey's Career Night, Sova & Cohen's Pair Lead Explosive Offense to 7-3 Win - Erie Otters
- Pinelli Returns as Rangers Head to Guelph Saturday - Kitchener Rangers
- Battalion Notes December 3 - North Bay Battalion
- Spirit Return Home to Host Division Rival Sarnia - Saginaw Spirit
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