FINAL: Rangers 5, Sting 2
The Kitchener Rangers welcomed The Sarnia Sting to The Aud for the final home game of the season and one of the biggest games of the year. The Rangers were looking to stay ahead of the Sting in the standings, wanting to remain in sole possession of 7th place.
Adrian Misaljevic took a slashing penalty five minutes into the game, but the penalty-killing unit killed it off. Following the powerplay, Sarnia capitalized to jump out to a 1-0 lead. The Rangers had a powerplay opportunity but could not solve Sarnia’s, Ben Gaudreau. Despite leading the shot category 11-8 over Sarnia, the Rangers looked to score their first goal of the game in the 2nd period.
The Rangers came out applying non-stop pressure on the Sting, leading to Trent Swick snapping a rebound in to tie the game 1-1. Midway through the 2nd, Reid Valade stayed hot and scored to give the Rangers a 2-1 lead. Sarnia was given a late powerplay chance but could not score. The Rangers led 2-1 heading into the 3rd.
Both teams exchanged multiple chances throughout the period, but both goalies intended on keeping the game close. Prior to the 10-minute mark of the 3rd, Matthew Sop scored off a nice play from Adrian Misaljevic to extend the lead to 3-1. On a powerplay, Sarnia scored to make it 3-2 with just under five minutes remaining in the game. Mike Petizian capitalized on an empty net which made it 4-2. Joseph Serpa added another empty-net goal with one minute remaining to extend the lead to 5-2.
The Rangers won this crucial game by a final score of 5-2. We now sit four points up on Sarnia and look to increase that lead even more in tomorrow’s game.
Our next game is Saturday, April 9th, at 7:30 p.m. in Owen Sound.
