Sop Lifts Rangers to OT Victory
February 2, 2024 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Kitchener Rangers News Release
Kitchener Rangers' Matthew Sop on game night
(Kitchener Rangers, Credit: Tiffany Luke/Kitchener Rangers)
Matthew Sop scored the game-tying and game-winning goals as the Kitchener native lifted the Rangers out of a five-game losing streak in a 3-2 win over Guelph. The game took all 60 minutes and overtime before Sop was awarded a penalty shot, where he put the game to rest. Filip Mesar scored Kitchener's first goal of the game, starting the three-goal comeback. Trent Swick recorded two assists in the contest as well.
Box Score
Highlights
Scoring Summary:
1st Period
GUE 1, KIT 0
17:52 Zander Veccia (10) - Gavin Grundner
Guelph opened the scoring up late in the first period off the stick of Zander Veccia. To set the goal up, Gavin Grundner carried the puck down the bench side wall from center ice. As he entered the Rangers' zone he cut towards the net and took a shot. Veccia banged home the rebound and gave Guelph the first lead of the game.
2nd Period
GUE 2, KIT 0
4:14 Jett Luchanko (16) - Braeden Bowman, Rowan Topp
A slip pass by Braeden Bowman, as the Storm entered the offensive zone, led to a goal by Jett Luchanko on a brief breakaway. Rowan Topp sent a pass from behind his own goalie to the opposite blueline where Bowman was standing. He sent the slip pass to Luchanko who flicked it up glove side on Jackson Parsons.
3rd Period
GUE 2, KIT 1
4:07 Filip Mesar (16) - Trent Swick
Filip Mesar ended Kitchener's five-period goal drought with a snipe from the high slot. Trent Swick passed the puck between the faceoff circles to Mesar, who stepped in and rocketed it up top to bring Kitchener within one.
GUE 2, KIT 2
19:19 Matthew Sop (29) - Trent Swick, Carson Rehkopf
Matthew Sop tied the game up with 41 seconds left in the game in heroic fashion, with the goalie pulled. A failed passing play landed the puck in the Guelph crease. Matthew Sop battled hard for positioning in front of the Storm goal. He got a stick on the puck to put it into the net to force extra time.
Overtime
GUE 2, KIT 3
1:53 Matthew Sop (30) - Penalty Shot
Matthew Sop was awarded a penalty shot due to interference on a breakaway. Sop played hero scoring his third overtime goal of the season. He began slow and wide before picking up speed and faking the goalie out. Eventually, with a slick move, he tucked it under the paddle of Damian Slavik to seal the game.
The Stars:
First Star: Matthew Sop (2G)
Second Star: Filip Mesar (1G)
Third Star: Zander Veccia (1G)
The Goalies:
Damian Slavik made 20 of 23 saves in the contest and the overtime loss moved his season record to 6-2-2-0. Jackson Parsons recorded the win stopping 23 shots. His season record moves to 19-12-1-0.
The Numbers Game:
Shots: GUE 25, KIT 23
Powerplay: GUE 0-3, KIT 0-5
FO%: GUE 52.7%, KIT 47.3%
Up Next: Kitchener will travel to Erie tomorrow for a 7 pm start. The Rangers have won all four contests between the two teams. Following the match, Kitchener will then rest until next Friday when they head east to take on Kingston and Ottawa. The Rangers return home for their Valentine's Day game on February 13th to host Guelph once again. Tickets for all Kitchener home games can be purchased at The Aud box office sponsored by White Way Plumbing or online.
Images from this story
 Kitchener Rangers' Matthew Sop on game night (Tiffany Luke/Kitchener Rangers) |
Ontario Hockey League Stories from February 2, 2024
- Oh Captain' Our Captain Sherk's Pair Leads Dogs Back to Top Spot - Brantford Bulldogs
- Sop Lifts Rangers to OT Victory - Kitchener Rangers
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- Bloom Thrilled to be Back in Saginaw to Chase OHL Championship and Memorial Cup - Saginaw Spirit
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