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OHL Kitchener Rangers

Saginaw Gets Revenge on Rangers

October 7, 2023 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Kitchener Rangers News Release


Kitchener Rangers battle the Saginaw Spirit
Kitchener Rangers battle the Saginaw Spirit
(Kitchener Rangers, Credit: Eric Young/Saginaw Spiriit)

Saginaw, MI - Hunter Haight recorded a hattrick, Calem Mangone recorded a goal and three assists and Zayne Parekh recorded four assists in Saginaw's 8-2 victory over Kitchener. For Kitchener, Adrian Misaljevic scored his fourth goal in five games and Hunter Brzustewicz scored his second goal of the year in his home state in the loss.

The Rangers came out strong in the first 10 minutes of the game. Carson Rehkopf put a shot off the crossbar just 30 seconds into the game. It was one of four shots for the Blueshirts in the first minute of play. Misaljevic nearly scored on a breakaway three minutes later. Soon after, Brzustewicz would put a puck past Andrew Oke 4:51 into the game. This was Brzustewicz's second goal in as many games as he drove the net and slashed it in; assists were given to Rehkopf and Misaljevic. These points bring Brzustewicz' total to seven, Rehkopf to five, and Misaljevic to eight points, in only five games.

Saginaw responded just 33 seconds later and never looked back. Valentin Zhugin scored his first goal of the year as he drove wide and buried the puck behind Jackson Parsons. The goal was assisted by Lincoln Moore and Luke McNamara, this was Moore's first point of the year.

Saginaw scored on the powerplay ten minutes later with 4:27 remaining in the period. Matyas Sapovaliv picked up a blocked shot and put it in the back of the net. Assists were awarded to Mangone and Parekh. This was Parekh's first of four assists in the game. With 2:36 remaining in the frame, Saginaw scored their third unanswered goal. First-year forward Aiden Young scored his first career OHL goal. He was Saginaw's 16th overall selection in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection. Parekh dished him the puck in the crease and Young put it behind Parsons. After twenty minutes of hockey, the score was 3-1 Spirit, however, the Rangers led 9-8 in shots.

The second period started, exactly how the first ended, with Saginaw putting the pressure on the Rangers. A battle down low forced a turnover to Mangone who no-look backhand passed the puck to Haight in the slot. Haight buried the puck at 2:01 into the period. This was Haight's second goal of the season. The secondary assist was given to Joey Willis. 1:58 later Moore extended the Spirit's led to 5-1. This was Moore's first goal of the year, assists went to Sebastien Gervais and Young.

Following the fifth unanswered goal, Parsons was pulled with 16:02 left in the second period. Parsons stopped six of eleven shots he faced in the contest. Tristan Malboeuf came into the game. He played Saginaw in the preseason as a member of the Brantford Bulldogs

Saginaw scored their sixth goal to go up 6-1, and Mangone recorded his third of four points of the night. He scored on a shot that deflected off Blair Scott and past Malboeuf. The goal was scored 8:21 into the second, Parekh was awarded his third assist of the night.

The score remained 6-1 after two periods of action, despite the Rangers leading in shots 19-15. Saginaw started the third period on the powerplay for 1:51.

Saginaw started the third frame on a positive note, going two for two on the powerplay, Haight scored his second goal of the night and third of the year. Mangone recorded his fourth point of the night with an assist on the goal, and Michael Misa recorded his first point of the night on the powerplay marker; the score turned to 7-1 Saginaw.

Misaljevic gave the team a glimpse of hope scoring on a beautiful solo effort to make the game 7-2. He stole the puck at center ice and rushed down the ice, he placed a perfect shot top shelf over a diving defender. Misaljevic now has four goals in five games for Kitchener, last season he put up four goals in 47 games.

The game continued four-on-four after a scrum, followed by another scrum where Saginaw would be given a four-on-three powerplay. Haight scored his hat trick goal on a cross-ice snapshot, off a pass from Misa and Parekh. The goal was scored 17:02 into the third and put the Spirit up 8-2, this would be the final score. Saginaw led the shots 27-23.

Following tonight's game, Saginaw's penalty kill remained perfect as they are 12/12 on the year. Kitchener went 0/4 on the powerplay and 0/3 on the penalty kill. Oke recorded his second win of the year as he recorded 21 of 23 saves. Malboeuf stopped 13 of 16 shots he faced in relief of Parsons.

Up Next: Kitchener is back home at the Aud this Friday, October 13th as they take on the Barrie Colts. Tickets can be found at The Aud box office sponsored by White Way Plumbing or online.

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Images from this story

Kitchener Rangers battle the Saginaw Spirit
Kitchener Rangers battle the Saginaw Spirit
(Eric Young/Saginaw Spiriit)		   

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