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OHL Kitchener Rangers

Things Get Soppy in Erie

November 29, 2023 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Kitchener Rangers News Release


Kitchener Rangers on game night
Kitchener Rangers on game night
(Kitchener Rangers, Credit: Natalie Shaver/OHL Images)

Game Summary: Matthew Sop put the team on his back in tonight's 5-4 overtime win in Erie. The kid from Kitchener scored the game-tying and game-winning goals to secure two points to wrap up the Rangers' three-game road stint.

The Rangers were up and down throughout the game, once holding a two-goal lead before giving up three unanswered goals to fall behind. Sop added an assist to his two goals, the only other Ranger to record two or more points was Adrian Misaljevic who had assists on both of Sop's goals. Sop was the overtime hero on October 27th when these teams played for the first time in a game that also ended 5-4.

Scoring Summary:

2nd Period

ER 0, KIT 1

4:59 Trent Swick (11) - Matthew Sop - SHG

A shorthanded goal by Trent Swick finally broke through Ben Gaudreau. Justin Bottineau was sent to the sin bin for cross-checking 5:55 into the second period, giving Erie their first powerplay of the game and a wonderful opportunity to break the scoreless contest. However, Swick and Sop had other plans as they went down on a two-on-one shorthanded opportunity. Swick passed the puck to Sop behind his back. Sop, who received the pass, put the puck between his legs, and simultaneously got around the Erie defender. Once free, he took a shot, which was initially saved. However, the rebound landed on Swick's stick alone in front of an empty net and he put it home.

ER 1, KIT 1

7:50 Carey Terrance (17) - Malcolm Spence

Carey Terrance received the puck at Kitchener's blueline and beat Matthew Andonovski out wide, finding himself one-on-one with Jackson Parsons. Terrance outwaited Parsons who made the first move and Terrance lifted the puck over the sprawled goaltender to tie the game.

ER 1, KIT 2

10:59 Antonino Pugliese (10) - Justin Bottineau, Cameron Mercer

Antonino Pugliese continued his hot streak against the Otters, scoring his fifth goal in his past two games against Erie. Justin Bottineau held the puck as he entered the zone and toe-dragged the puck. Faking a shot, Bottineau opted to pass the puck cross-ice to Pugliese who one-timed the puck home giving the Rangers the lead once again.

ER 1, KIT 3

11:56 Filip Mesar (11) - PPG

Pugliese continued his shift following the goal and drew a penalty on Georgy Toroptsev as he hooked him in frustration. On the powerplay, Filip Mesar received the puck at center ice following a clear by Erie. He made a solo effort getting around the Erie penalty killers before a seeing eye shot that found a hole top shelf over Gaudreau.

ER 2, KIT 3

12:58 Pano Fimis (7) - Spencer Sova, Sam Alfano

Panos Fimis brought Erie back within one as he found the puck in the slot and quickly fired it on Parsons to score. Cameron Reid defended the rush and broke up a developing play. In doing so Reid stopped the puck with his skate, however it bounced out into the slot. Fimis saw the play develop, cut to the slot, and was first on the puck in front of Parsons. Fimis buried the puck, closing the gap in Kitchener's lead.

ER 3, KIT 3

16:02 Carey Terrance (18) - Kaleb Smith, Malcolm Spence

Carey Terrance scored his second goal of the period, tying the game heading into the third. Malcolm Spence won a puck battle and sent a pass to Kaleb Smith in front of Parsons. Smith one-timed the puck on net and Parsons made the save, however, a rebound bounced out to Terrance who didn't waste any time in tying the game.

3rd Period

ER 4, KIT 3

15:01 Malcolm Spence (4)

Malcolm Spence capitalized on a partial breakaway. Spence went forehand to backhand and put it in to give Erie the lead with just under five minutes to go in the game.

ER 4, KIT 4

17:50 Matthew Sop (16) - Hunter Brzustewicz, Adrian Misaljevic

Adrian Misaljevic sent the puck down to Hunter Brzustewicz who, under pressure, sent a backhanded pass to Matthew Sop. Sop, alone in the slot, skated down toward the goalie and tied the game, sending it to overtime.

Overtime

ER 4, KIT 5

3:31 Matthew Sop (16) - Adrian Misaljevic

The Rangers secured the win on a two-on-two. Matthew Sop entered the Erie zone with the puck and sent a drop pass to Adrian Misaljevic. Misaljevic danced around Bruce McDonald and sent a backhand pass to Sop who buried in tight on Gaudreau to seal the deal.

The Stars:

First Star: Matthew Sop (2G, 1A)

Second Star: Malcolm Spence (1G, 2A)

Third Star: Carey Terrance (2G)

The Goalies:

Jackson Parsons made 40 saves on 44 shots in the overtime win, improving his record to 14-5 on the year. Ben Gaudreau stopped 32 of 37 shots in the overtime loss, moving his record to 11 wins, 6 losses, and 2 overtime losses on the campaign.

The Numbers Game:

Shots: ER 44, KIT 37

Powerplay: ER 0-3, KIT 1-4

FO%: ER 60.4%, KIT 39.6%

Up Next: The Rangers return home to The Aud Friday for a 7 pm game against the Niagara IceDogs. This will be the only time the IceDogs will make the trip to Kitchener. Kitchener won 7-4 on October 18th, the only other time the two teams will play this season. Tickets can be purchased at The Aud box office sponsored by White Way Plumbing or online.

Check out the Kitchener Rangers Statistics




Images from this story

Kitchener Rangers on game night
Kitchener Rangers on game night
(Natalie Shaver/OHL Images)		   



Ontario Hockey League Stories from November 29, 2023


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