OHL Kitchener Rangers

Rangers Take Game One 5-2

Published on March 22, 2013 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Kitchener Rangers News Release


Two power play goals from Ryan Murphy led the Kitchener Rangers to a 5-2 victory over the Guelph Storm in the first game of their opening round playoff series. Joshua Leivo added three assists for the Rangers and Gibson made 36 saves to secure the victory.

The Rangers opened the scoring, taking advantage of a power play opportunity midway through the first period. Tobias Rieder's short pass found captain Ryan Murphy in the slot and he fired a shot past a screened Garret Sparks. His first of the playoffs was also assisted by regular-season scoring leader Joshua Leivo.

The Storm evened the score at one goal apiece late in the frame, capitalizing on the man-advantage. Andrey Pedan's shot bounced off the goal post behind Kitchener starter John Gibson and into the back of the net. Tanner Richard and Zack Mitchell earned the assists on Pedan's first of the postseason.

Each team fired 13 shots on goal through the opening 20 minutes of play.

Guelph took the lead less than one minute into the middle frame, when draft-eligible winger Jason Dickinson corralled the puck at Gibson's feet and shovelled it between the netminder's skates to record his first of the playoffs. Brock McGinn and Pedan were credited with helpers on the goal 36 seconds into the period.

Murphy's second power play marker of the game pulled the Rangers level at 2-2 just over three minutes later. His point shot soared by Sparks, bringing the Carolina Hurricanes prospect's career playoff total to 11 goals. Leivo earned his second point of the night with a helper on the play. Czech import Radek Faksa also collected an assist.

Evan McEneny put the Rangers back in front with his first career playoff tally, a power play goal at the 11:31 mark of the second period. The Vancouver Canucks prospect beat Sparks with a long shot through traffic, with assists from rookie Justin Bailey and overager Domenic Alberga.

With less than five minutes to play in the frame, sophomore centre Curtis Meighan extended Kitchener's lead to two goals, sending a shot over the outstretched glove of Sparks. His second career postseason goal was assisted by veteran winger Eric Ming.

The Rangers continued to press late in the period, jumping to a 5-2 lead at the 17:53 mark. Matt Puempel collected a pass from Rieder and snapped his first of the postseason blocker-side by Sparks. Leivo picked up his third assist of night on the play.

Puempel's goal prompted a Guelph goaltending change, as Michael Nishi entered the game in relief of Sparks, who allowed five goals on 29 shots.

The Rangers outshot the Storm 17-15 in the second period.

Kitchener continued to lead shots on goal 12-10 through a scoreless third period. The Rangers finished with a 42-38 overall advantage on the shot clock. Gibson made 36 saves in his ninth career playoff win.

Kitchener leads the best-of-seven series 1-0. Game 2 is Sunday evening at 7pm at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium.

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from March 22, 2013


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