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OHL Kitchener Rangers

Rangers Fall 6-4 to Bulls

January 31, 2014 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Kitchener Rangers News Release


Rookie Nick Magyar recorded his team-leading 36th point of the season with a goal in the Kitchener Rangers' 6-4 loss to the Barrie Colts on Friday night. Max Iafrate, Curtis Meighan and Justin Bailey also recorded goals for the Rangers in the loss.

The Rangers opened the scoring, taking advantage of a power play opportunity near the six minutes mark. Defenceman Logan Schmidt connected with Max Iafrate at the top of the circle and the veteran rearguard soared a shot past netminder Daniel Gibl. The goal was the Livonia, MI native's career-best seventh of the year.

The Colts responded less than two minutes later when Joseph Blandisi bounced a shot off Jordan DeKort, and the puck ended up on the stick of Andreas Athanasiou beside the net. The Detroit Red Wings prospect buried it behind the goaltender to pick up his team-leading 31st of the season, with an assist from Mitchell Theoret.

With less than five minutes remaining in the opening frame, Aaron Ekblad put Barrie ahead with a power play marker. The captain's point shot sailed by DeKort with assists from Athanasiou and Zach Hall, bringing his total to 16 on the season.

Barrie out-shot Kitchener 11-6 in the first period.

Two quick goals late in the second lifted the Rangers to a 3-2 advantage. Rookie Nick Magyar forced an interception in the neutral zone, springing the team on an odd-man rush. The draft-eligible winger lifted a shot high over Gibl for his 14th goal and team-leading 36th point of the season.

Just 26 seconds later, Kitchener scored again, jumping on faceoff win in Barrie zone. Frank Hora's point shot was redirected past Gibl by veteran Curtis Meighan. The Ottawa native's career-best seventh of the year was also assisted by Matia Marcantuoni, extending his recent point streak to a third game.

Blandisi quickly pulled the Colts even, leveling the score at three goals apiece with his 24th of the season. Athanasiou picked up his third point of the night with an assist on the play, while Theoret recorded his second helper of the game.

With just over a minute to play in the frame, sophomore Justin Bailey restored the Rangers lead, picking off the puck at centre ice and racing towards the net. The Buffalo Sabres prospect fired it high over the glove of Gibl for his career-best 18th of the season.

Each time fired eight shots on net in the second period.

Midway through the final frame, Michael Webster evened the score at 4-4, picking up a rebound in front of the Rangers net and shooting it over the outstretched glove of DeKort. His third of the year was assisted by Jake Dotchin and Kevin Lebanc.

With the teams playing 4-on-4, Brendan Lemieux fired a shot between the pads of DeKort to put the Colts up by one. Hall and Dotchin each earned their second point of the game with assists on the play.

With 37 seconds to play, Theoret found an empty Rangers net, sealing a 6-4 Barrie victory. Athanasiou picked up his fourth point of the night with his assist on the play.

The Colts led shots on goal 9-7 in the final frame and finished with a 28-22 overall advantage.

Kitchener and Barrie split their season series, with one win apiece.

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from January 31, 2014


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