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OHL Kitchener Rangers

Sting Slip Past Rangers in OT

February 3, 2016 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Kitchener Rangers News Release


Pavel Zacha scored just 20 seconds into the 3-on-3 overtime frame as the Sarnia Sting rallied to a 3-2 win over the Kitchener Rangers in front of 2,697 fans at the Sarnia Sports and Entertainment Centre on Wednesday night.

Although the Rangers (34-9-5-0) twice surrendered the lead (1-0, 2-1), they were glad to muster a point against the Sting (28-14-5-1) after finding themselves with an extremely light defensive core throughout the night.

Already without defencemen Brian Brosnan and Dmitrii Sergeev, Mike Van Ryn's Rangers would also lose the services of Frank Hora (left the game in the first period), as well as Connor Hall (misconduct) and Elijah Roberts (equipment) for stretches of time in the third period.

The head coach said it wasn't the complete effort he had drawn up for his club, but with all things considered and the unforeseen short bench they endured, he felt they worked hard.

"You're never happy after you lose, but I'm happy we picked up a point, considering," said Van Ryn.

"At one point we had two forwards [Darby Llewellyn and Gustaf Franzen] playing [defence] on a penalty kill. That was just the way things played out tonight. We've had to battle injuries all year and so we're no strangers to that.

"Our guys battled tonight. I wasn't happy with the first [period]. We didn't execute our game plan. In the second and third periods I thought we were the better team, especially playing short, like we were. But it comes down to details."

Charlie Graham (17-15-3-0) earned the win in goal for the Sting, allowing two goals on 33 shots. Luke Opilka (23-5-3-0) suffered the OT loss but has earned at least a point in four straight games in the Rangers crease, making 22 stops tonight.

Franzen picked up an assist on the Rangers second goal of the game, and was more than willing to answer the bell when called upon to step up in the absence of some of his teammates.

"Whether it's winning draws or helping out defensively, I'm happy to do it," Franzen said post-game, "as long as I can contribute to helping the team pick up points.

"I thought we had a great effort tonight. We all worked hard. We were running low [on defencemen], and this is always a tough building to play in, but picking up a point is better than none at all.

"We know we can compete with their team, we just need to pay attention to details."

Ryan MacInnis opened the scoring for the Rangers just 48 seconds into the game, unassisted, after blocking a Sarnia shot from the point, breaking down the left wing side, then beating Graham for his 25th goal of the season.

Ryan McGregor tied the game for the Sting after the puck managed to just slightly bounce over the goal line, assisted by Sam Studnicka and Travis Konecny at 9:14. The game would head into the first intermission with the Sting leading on the shot clock 9-6.

Mason Kohn was dumped and cut by a high stick at the hands of Zachary Core at 2:48 of the second, and with a thunderous shot from the right point Miles Liberati gave the Rangers back a one-goal lead, 2-1, on the power play from Franzen and Jeremy Bracco at 4:21.

Jordan Kyrou tied the game 2-2 at 17:21, from Pavel Zacha and Jeff King to close out the second period scoring.

After Alex Black collided with Opilka at 17:47, Hall took exception and was handed a five-minute penalty for fighting, a two-minute instigator, and a ten-minute misconduct.

Shots were 18-14 through 40 minutes in favour of the Rangers.

The Rangers were handed three straight penalties in the third period, but even with the short bench, managed to stave off the Sting offence. After a scoreless third period, the game headed to overtime where Zacha's shot, assisted by Konecny, found its way to the back of the net to give Sarnia the 3-2 win.

Shots were 33-24 Kitchener through 60 minutes, and 33-25 at the final horn with the game winner being the only shot of the overtime frame.

The Rangers would finish the night 1-for-6 on the power play, while the Sting were held scoreless on six attempts with the man advantage.

Konecny (3), Graham (2) and Zacha (1) were chosen as the Three Stars of the Game.

Gustaf Franzen, Frank Hora and Brandon Robinson each wore 'A's and skated as alternates to captain Ryan MacInnis.

The Rangers return home to the Aud when they host the Niagara IceDogs on Friday, February 5th for a 7:30pm start. The game will be televised on Rogers Sportsnet (Pacific, Ontario and East) for CHL Friday Night Hockey.

Tickets for the Rangers next home game, or any other future Rangers home games are available online at kitchenerrangers.com, by calling Centre in the Square, or through The Aud Box Office.

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from February 3, 2016


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