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OHL Kitchener Rangers

Rangers Cap Off 2023 On A High Note

December 30, 2023 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Kitchener Rangers News Release


Kitchener Rangers' Lucas Ellinas, Trent Swick, and Hunter Brzustewicz on the ice
Kitchener Rangers' Lucas Ellinas, Trent Swick, and Hunter Brzustewicz on the ice
(Kitchener Rangers, Credit: Owen Sound)

Kitchener ended 2023 with a 5-2 win over Owen Sound. The season series between the two teams is now tied at three wins each. They play two more times this season on March 6th and 15th. Despite giving up the first goal the Rangers never trailed again as Luke Ellinas scored twice for his first career multi-goal game in the OHL.

Trent Swick and Hunter Brzustewicz both extended their point streaks. Brzustewicz's streak extended to four games; he has recorded points in 10 of his last 11 games. Trent Swick's streak extended to seven games as he has tallied points in nine of his last ten games.

Scoring Summary:

1st Period

OS 1, KIT 0

13:50 Colby Barlow (10) - Cedrick Guindon, Sam Sedley - PPG

Owen Sound scored the first goal on the powerplay, as Colby Barlow one-timed the puck past Tristan Malboeuf in his first game after being out for 16 games. A penalty to Blair Scott for interference off a faceoff at 12:15 led to Barlow's game-opening goal. Cedrick Guindon sent a pass across the Rangers' zone, setting Barlow up for a one-timer that beat Malboeuf along the ice.

OS 1, KIT 1

15:14 Luke Ellinas (6) - Matthew Andonovski

On the breakout, Luke Ellinas scored his second goal in as many nights to tie the game. While entering the zone Ellinas received a pass from Matthew Andonovski in stride. He walked in and released a gorgeous shot beating Corbin Votary blocker side.

OS 1, KIT 2

17:16 Luke Ellinas (7) - Hunter Brzustewicz, Matthew Andonovski

Luke Ellinas put Kitchener up late in the first period with a goal while playing four-on-four. The Rangers took advantage of the extra space playing four-on-four when Matthew Andonovski sent a puck up to the top of the Owen Sound zone to Hunter Brzustewicz. Brzustewicz walked the line and got around the Owen Sound pressure. Showing great vision, he eventually sent a hard pass down to the net where Ellinas was parked. Ellinas deflected the puck up and past Votary to give Kitchener their first lead of the game.

2nd Period

OS 1, KIT 3

3:30 Kyle Morey (6)

Kyle Morey scored Kitchener's third unanswered goal unassisted on a wonderful end-to-end rush. Morey intercepted a pass in his own zone and skated hard down the ice eventually finding himself attempting a backhanded pass. The puck deflected off Owen Sound defender Martin Matejicek's stick and past Votary to extend the Kitchener lead.

OS 1, KIT 4

5:05 Trent Swick (17) - Adrian Misaljevic

1:35 after Kyle Morey scored, Trent Swick added to the lead and ended Corbin Votary's night. Swick shot the puck on Votary, who made the original save. The rebound bounced out front and Swick was the only one around, he kicked the puck up back to his stick and tucked it in behind Votary. Carter George came in relief following the goal.

OS 2, KIT 4

11:59 Ethan Burroughs (16) - Sam Sedley, Colby Barlow

Owen Sound cut the lead down to two on a deflection by Ethan Burroughs. Colby Barlow sent the puck up top to the point where Sam Sedley stood. Sedley took a shot on goal, however on its way towards Tristan Malboeuf, Burroughs deflected the shot down and past Malboeuf.

3rd Period

OS 2, KIT 5

8:82 Adrian Misaljevic (20) - Cameron Reid

Adrian Misaljevic brought the lead back to three with a snipe blocker side. He held the puck in the neutral zone and carried it into the Owen Sound zone. While in stride he shot the puck blocker side and put it past Carter George.

The Stars:

First Star: Luke Ellinas (2G)

Second Star: Matthew Andonovski (2A)

Third Star: Colby Barlow (1G, 1A)

The Goalies:

Owen Sound started Corbin Votary and he was pulled after allowing four goals on 17 shots. He was handed a loss in the game moving his record to 4-4-0-0. Carter George came in to finish the remaining 34:52 of the game. He was given a no-decision in the contest and made 23 saves on 24 shots. At the other end of the ice Tristan Malboeuf was rock solid for the blueshirts making 22 saves on 24 shots and improved his record to 8-2-1-0.

The Numbers Game:

Shots: OS 24, KIT 42

Powerplay: OS 1-3, KIT 0-3

FO%: OS 51.5%, KIT 48.5%

Up Next: The Rangers will play a New Year's Day game at 2:05 pm in Oshawa before returning home Thursday for their first home game of 2024 against the Saginaw Spirit. Saginaw and Kitchener's season series is currently tied at one win each. Tickets 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' Lucas Ellinas, Trent Swick, and Hunter Brzustewicz on the ice
Kitchener Rangers' Lucas Ellinas, Trent Swick, and Hunter Brzustewicz on the ice
(Owen Sound)		   



Ontario Hockey League Stories from December 30, 2023


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