OHL Kitchener Rangers

Rangers Fall to the Firebirds 5-3

Published on February 1, 2020 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Kitchener Rangers News Release


Kitchener Rangers defenceman Connor Hall
Kitchener Rangers defenceman Connor Hall
(Kitchener Rangers)

Flint, MI: The Rangers (29-12-5-2) travelled south to Michigan to face the Firebirds (29-17-1-1) who extended their franchise-record winning streak to seven games in a 5-3 win.

Axel Bergkvist scored two goals and Mike Petizian added another for the Rangers.

Jacob Ingham saved 31 shots in the loss.

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The Firebirds opened up the scoring at 7:42 of the first period. Braeden Kressler passed cross-ice Tyler Tucker (11) who took a shot on net that was tipped by a Rangers defender past Jacob Ingham to make it 1-0.

There was no further scoring in the period and after 20 minutes, Flint lead in shots, 14-10.

Jack Wismer (15) extended the Firebirds lead at 6:34 when his initial shot was blocked by Ingham but on a second chance opportunity, the right-winger buried it and it was 2-0.

The Rangers pulled within a goal at 10:10. Riley Damiani came across the blue line and passed it to Axel Bergkvist (6) who cut across the top of the crease and went backhand, high to make it 2-1.

25-seconds later, at 10:25, the Spitfires came across the blue line with numbers and Wismer made a move around a Rangers defender and roofed one to restore Flint's two-goal lead. It was 3-1.

34-seconds after that, at 11:09, a shot by Michael Vukojevic went off the knee of Mike Petizian (17) and beat Anthony Popovich to make it 3-2.

Greg Meireles also earned an assist on the goal.

Flint doubled up their lead once again after Jack Phibbs exited the penalty box and found himself on a breakaway. Phibbs (12) went five-hole to beat Ingham and it was 4-2.

After 40 minutes, the Firebirds led in shots 25-21.

In the third period, while on the powerplay, Damiani passed cross-ice to Bergkvist (7) who wired a one-timer past Popovich to bring the Rangers within one, 4-3.

Meireles picked up his second assist of the night on the powerplay goal.

Evgeniy Oksentyuk scored an empty-net goal with one second left in the game to seal the win for the Firebirds, 5-3.

Final shots on goal were 36-32 for Flint.

The next Rangers home game is on Friday, February 7 at 7:30 pm versus the Mississauga Steelheads. The next road game for the Rangers is on Wednesday, February 5 at 7:07 pm versus the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.

Tickets are available for all regular-season home games! Purchase yours in-person at The Aud or Centre in the Square Box Office, by phone (519) 578-1570 or 1-800-265-8977, or online.

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Kitchener Rangers defenceman Connor Hall
Kitchener Rangers defenceman Connor Hall
   



Ontario Hockey League Stories from February 1, 2020


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