OHL Kitchener Rangers

Rangers Win Home Opener 4-3 in Shootout

Published on September 26, 2014 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Kitchener Rangers News Release


Justin Bailey scored his first of the season and added the shootout winner to secure the Kitchener Rangers a 4-3 victory over the Owen Sound Attack in their 52nd home opener. Mike Davies and Gustaf Franzen also scored for the Rangers, who have won eight straight home openers, dating back to the 2007-08 season.

The two sides skated through a scoreless first period; Rangers starter Matthew Greenfield stopped all 10 shots he faced, while Brandon Hope made 12 saves for the Attack.

Less than a minute into the middle frame, Owen Sound broke onto the scoreboard. Finnish import Petrus Palmu recorded his second goal in as many games, with assists from Waterloo native Kyle Platzer and captain Zach Nastasiuk.

With less than two minutes remaining in the period, third year winger Justin Bailey pulled the Rangers even with a shorthanded marker. The Sabres prospect picked off the puck near the Kitchener blueline and raced the length of the ice, chipping a shot over Hope to record his first goal of the 2014-15 season.

The Rangers continued to lead shots on goal 13-4 in the second period.

Mike Davies' first goal of the season gave the Rangers their first lead near the eight-minute mark of the final frame. The sophomore forward jumped on a loose puck in the crease and pushed it through traffic to put the team ahead 2-1. Rearguard Frank Hora notched his first point of the season with a helper on the play. The second assist was credited to overage centre Curtis Meighan.

Owen Sound found the back of the net midway through the period to tie the score at 2-2. Ethan Szypula corralled a rebound to the right of the Rangers crease and fired a quick shot past Greenfield's blocker for his first of the year. Rearguards Damir Sharipzyanov and Thomas Schemitsch earned assists on the play at 10:27.

Kitchener regained its lead on the man advantage with less than seven minutes left to play. Import forward Gustaf Franzen lifted a high shot over a screened netminder to score his first career Ontario Hockey League goal. Bailey recorded his second point of the night with an assist on the power play marker, while Arizona Coyotes prospect Ryan MacInnis also earned a helper.

Less than a minute later, Nastasiuk scored his second of the season to pull the Attack even at 3-3. Platzer picked up his second assist on the Red Wings prospect's shorthanded tally.

Each team fired 11 shots on goal in the final 20 minutes, but neither team could break the deadlock, sending the contest into overtime.

The score remained 3-3 after the extra frame, sending the game into a shootout. The Rangers finished with a 39-27 advantage on the shot clock.

Bailey beat Hope to give the Rangers the advantage and Greenfield stopped all three Attack shooters to secure a 4-3 Kitchener win.

Scoring

2. OS P. Palmu, (2) (K. Platzer, Z. Nastasiuk), 0:56

2. KIT J. Bailey, (1) (unassisted), 18:36 (SH)

3. KIT M. Davies, (1) (F. Hora, C. Meighan), 7:43

3. OS E. Szypula, (1) (D. Sharipzyanov, T. Schemitsch), 10:27

3. KIT G. Franzen, (1) (J. Bailey, R. MacInnis), 13:40 (PP)

3. OS Z. Nastasiuk, (2) (K. Platzer), 14:39 (SH)

Shootout

Kitchener Shootout

95 - Justin Bailey Goal

15 - Gustaf Franzen No Goal

16 - Brent Pedersen No Goal

Total: 1

Owen Sound Shootout

25 - Petrus Palmu No Goal

15 - Holden Cook No Goal

19 - Kyle Platzer No Goal

Total: 0

Attendance: 7203

Three Stars

1. KIT - 95 Justin Bailey

2. OS - 19 Kyle Platzer

3. KIT - 15 Gustaf Franzen

The Rangers hit the road on Friday, October 3 for a 7:30 pm meeting with the London Knights. The team returns to the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium on Friday, October 10 to host the Erie Otters at 7:30pm. Tickets to all Kitchener Rangers home games are now available by phone at 519-578-1570 or 1-800-265-8977, via the internet at www.centre-square.com or in person at the Centre In the Square Box Office or the Kitchener Auditorium Box Office.

Check out the Kitchener Rangers Statistics

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from September 26, 2014


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