OHL Kitchener Rangers

Rangers Fall 6-1 to the Plymouth Whalers

Published on January 13, 2012 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Kitchener Rangers News Release


The Plymouth Whalers defeated the Kitchener Rangers 6-1 on Friday night. Ben Thomson scored the lone goal for the home team, while Rickard Rakell and Mitchell Heard each tallied two for Plymouth.

The Whalers opened the scoring just past the five minute mark of the first period. Swedish import Rickard Rakell snapped a high shot past Franky Palazzese, his 18th goal of the season. Assisting on the play was team-scoring leader Stefan Noesen, extending his point streak to seven games.

Rakell scored his second of the period with just under four minutes left in the frame, when he tipped the puck past Palazzese. Captain Beau Schmitz and Garrett Meurs picked up the helpers.

Plymouth added one more to their lead before the end of the first period. Andy Bathgate intercepted the puck and got it to former Ranger Alex Aleardi. The centre leads the team with 24 goals this season.

The Whalers out-shot Kitchener 19-7 in the opening 20 minutes.

Ben Thomson put the Rangers on the board eight minutes into the second, when he jumped on a rebound in front of the net and put it behind Whalers starter Scott Wedgewood, making the third-year forward set a new career high with his eighth of the year, assisted by Radek Faksa and Ben Fanelli.

The Whalers would extend their lead to 5-1 with two quick goals midway through the period. Palazzese stopped two shots before Mitchell Heard was able to force the puck by his right pad. Tom Wilson was credited with the helper.

Just over 90 seconds later Andy Bathgate picked up his second point of the night. The forward has 14 goals since moving to Plymouth from the Belleville Bulls for his overage season. Assisting on the play was Jamie Devane.

Heard added his second of the night with 1:13 left in the period, picking up the puck in front of the Rangers net and lifting it over Palazzese. The veteran centre's 22nd of the year was assisted by J.T Miller and Wilson.

The Rangers held a 20-11 advantage in shots on goal in the middle frame.

Plymouth out-shot Kitchener 12-11 in a scoreless third period, and 42-38 overall. Wedgewood made 37 saves in his fifth consecutive win.

The Whalers lead the season series 2-0, and improve to 29-9-2-1. The Rangers sit in second place in the Midwest Division with a record of 27-12-1-0.

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from January 13, 2012


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