OHL Kitchener Rangers

Rieder Lifts Rangers to a 4-3 Win

Published on September 23, 2011 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Kitchener Rangers News Release


The Rangers got off to a fast start when rookie Brent Pedersen scored his first Ontario Hockey League goal just two minutes into the first period. Pedersen was Kitchener's first round pick in the 2011 Priority Selection (14th Overall). Spitfires' goaltender John Cullen was out of his net to play the puck when it took a strange bounce and Pedersen jumped on it. Curtis Meighan and Evan McEneny were credited with the assists.

The Rangers capitalized on the power play and extended their lead to 2-0 at 10:25 in the first period. Veteran forward Ben Thomson beat Cullen on a feed from McEneny - his second assist of the period. Rangers captain Michael Catenacci also picked up an assist on the play.

Kitchener found itself in some penalty trouble late in the first frame when Radek Faksa was called for tripping and joined McEneny in the box, giving the Spitfires a two man advantage and they capitalized on the opportunity. Tom Kunhacki sent the puck cross-crease to Zack MacQueen who beat Rangers netminder John Gibson blocker-side, making the score 2-1 with just over five minutes to play. MacQueen has started the season strong, with three goals in Windsor's first two games.

The Rangers out shot the Spitfires 14-8 in the opening period.

The Spitfires turned up their intensity in the second period, evening the score at 2:19 when Jordan Maletta found Michael Clarke, who scored his second goal of this young season. The Rangers found themselves short-handed again at 2:51 with Faksa and Michael Hasson sent to the penalty box, and again, Windsor made the most of the five-on-three advantage. The Spitfires took the lead on an unassisted goal by Kerby Rychel at 4:21.

Windsor put Gibson to work in the second, with a 19-9 advantage in shots on goal.

There was a delay early in the third period when Windsor's Ben Johnson laid a hard check on Matia Marcantuoni that shattered the glass and damaged the stanchion.

Once the repairs were completed, the Rangers went to work, tying the game with 10:14 left to play. Curtis Meighan notched his first goal for Kitchener, assisted by Michael Hasson and rookie Jared Gilbert.

Tobias Rieder got the hometown crowd on their feet, completing the comeback with a minute and a half to play. Thomson started the Kitchener rush by springing Catenacci, who found Rieder in front, and he unleashed a shot that went right through Cullen.

Gibson stopped 36 of 39 shots in his first appearance with the Rangers. Windsor finished the game with a 39-33 advantage in shots on goal.

The Spitfires' are 0-2 after losing their home opener Thursday 6-3 to the Guelph Storm.

Scoring 1. KIT Pedersen, (1) (Meighan, McEneny), 2:00 1. KIT Thomson, (1) (McEneny, Catenacci), 10:25 (PP) 1. WSR MacQueen, (3) (Kuhnhackl (PIT), Rychel), 14:58 (PP) 2. WSR Clarke, (2) (Maletta, Ebert), 2:19 2. WSR Rychel, (1) (Clarke, Kuhnhackl (PIT)), 4:21 (PP) 3. KIT Meighan, (1) (Hasson, Gilbert), 9:46

Attendance: 6,589

The Rangers travel to Saginaw on Friday, September 30th for a 7:10pm game versus the Spirit. They go on to play the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds on Saturday, October 1st at 7:35pm.

Kitchener returns to home ice on Friday, October 7th at 7:30pm when they play host to the Saginaw Spirit. Tickets may be purchased by phone at 519-578-1570 or 1-800-265-8977, http://kitchenerrangers.com/page/individual-tickets via the internet or in person at The Aud Box Office or Centre in the Square Box Office.

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from September 23, 2011


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