ROUND ONE, GAME FOUR PREVIEW: Kitchener Rangers vs. Erie Otters
Erie, PA – The Kitchener Rangers hold a 2-1 series lead heading into game four on Thursday after a 4-3 overtime victory on Tuesday. Since the 2018 playoffs, the Rangers have won six of 12 games in the first round on the road. Game four will start at 7 pm at The Erie Insurance Arena.
- TV: Rogers Channel 20 (Kitchener)
- Video Stream: OHL Live on CHL TV
- Radio: 570 AM CKGL
- Live Stats
- Live Tweets
SCHEDULE
Game 4: Thurs., April 4 at Erie, 7:00 PM
Game 5: Fri., April 5 at Kitchener, 7:00 PM
*Game 6: Tues., April 9 at Erie, 7:00 PM
*Game 7: Wed., April 10 at Kitchener, 8:00 PM new dates
*If necessary
Kitchener Rangers Playoff Tickets:
Tickets for Game 5 are on sale now; you can purchase your seats online here. Fans can also call 519-578-1570 or you can purchase tickets in person at The Aud Box Office Sponsored by White Way Plumbing located at 400 East Avenue in Kitchener.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Game Three: Rangers Series Lead 2-1
In a remarkable comeback, the Rangers clinched game three by scoring four unanswered goals, forcing the game into extra minutes, and ultimately winning 4-3. Despite the Otters outshooting the Rangers 43 to 27, it was the Rangers who came out on top.
The Otters initially took the lead scoring three straight goals, from Sam Alfano, Kaleb Smith, and Dylan Edwards.
Adrian Misaljevic initiated the Rangers’ come back with Luca Romano and Tanner Lam assisting, 2:45 into the second period. Antonio Pugliese narrowed the goal gap to one with assistance from Oliver Savard and Romano. At 8:56 into the third period, Justin Bottineau tied the game with Pugliese and Romano contributing to the play. In overtime, Bottineau secured the win with his second goal of the game on the Rangers’ first and only shot, with Pugliese and Cameron Reid providing the assists.
Game Two: Series Tied 1-1
Erie took game two at The Aud with a final score of 7-4. The Rangers took an early two-goal lead however, Erie stormed back, took the lead, and never trailed again to level the series at one game apiece. The Rangers hung around and battled back from behind twice before finally going down with 9:23 remaining in the game.
Carson Rehkopf (Seattle Kraken- 2G), Matheas Stark, and Matthew Sop netted the Rangers goals while Filip Mešár (Montreal Canadiens) registered another three-assist night. Eduard Šalé (Seattle Kraken) tallied two assists, Hunter Brzustewicz (Calgary Flames), and Tanner Lam each notched one. Pano Fimis (1G, 1A), Malcolm Spence (1G, 1A), Dylan Edwards (1G, 1A), Sam Alfano (2G, 1A), Kaleb Smith, and Carey Terrance scored the goals for Erie.
Game One: Rangers Series Lead 1-0
The Rangers won game one 6-3 on Friday night with five Rangers recording multi-point games. Luke Ellinas led the way for the Rangers scoring their first goal of the playoffs finishing the game with two goals and one assist for the first star. Matthew Sop, Eduard Šalé (Seattle Kraken), and Carson Rehkopf (Seattle Kraken) each netted one goal and one assist while Filip Mešár (Montreal Canadiens) had three assists. Dylan Edwards netted two goals for the Otters and Sam Alfano notched their third goal.
Playoff Statistics:
Kitchener
Overall Power Play: 4th in the OHL at 36.4%
Away Power Play: N/A
Overall Penalty Kill: 5th in the OHL at 83.3%
Away Penalty Kill: 10th in the OHL at 66.7%
Erie
Overall Power Play: 12th in the OHL at 16.7%
Home Power Play: 6th in the OHL at 33.3%
Overall Penalty Kill: 16th in the OHL at 63.6%
Home Penalty Kill: N/A
SCOUTING THE RANGERS (41-23-4-0) 86 points 68 GP
4th in the Western Conference, 5th in the OHL
Rangers’ Watch:
- Filip Mešár (Montreal Canadiens) has six assists through the first three games of the playoffs which is the most points for the Rangers in the playoffs so far. Mešár is in a five-way tie for the second-most playoff points in the league. Four of those assists have come on the power play. Mešár has played 12 playoff games, scoring one goal and nine assists.
- Luca Romano has stepped up this playoff season. The first year forward has three assists, all of which came in Tuesday night’s comeback win. Romano has been a solid two-way centreman filling in on different lines and different game situations asked of him.
- Carson Rehkopf (Seattle Kraken) leads the Rangers in playoff goals and is tied for second in points with Eduard Šalé (Seattle Kraken). Rehkopf has three goals and one assist. Both of his goals have been on the power play. Against the Otters this regular season, Rehkopf racked up six goals and four assists for 10 points in six games.
Goaltending:
Parsons:
Jackson Parsons has played in all three playoff games so far. He was key factor to the Rangers’ success on Tuesday night making some massive stops. He was faced with 43 shots, allowing three to finish the contestant with a 2.63 goals against average and a .930 save percentage. Parsons earned the game’s third star with his performance.
SCOUTING THE OTTERS (33-28-5-2) 73 points 68 GP
5th in the Western Conference, 11th in the OHL
Otters to Watch:
- Sam Alfano has registered a goal in each of the first three games of the playoffs for a 4-1-5 stat line. One of his goals came on the man advantage, one was a game-winning goal, and one was a first goal. In Alfano’s seven career playoff games, he has five goals and one assist for six points.
- Dylan Edwards is on a three-game point streak with a 4-1-5 stat line, he is tied with Alfano for the most Otters playoff points, and goals so far.
- Owain Johnston is leading the Otters’ blueline with two assists. Both assists occurred on the Otters’ power play. Johnston played 68 games in the regular season in which he scored five goals and 24 assists for 29 points.
Goaltending:
Gaudreau:
Ben Gaudreau returned from an injury for game three, making this his first game since January 21st. Gaudreau played 35 games in the regular season going 21-11-2-0, with a 3.31 goals against average, and a .889 save percentage. On Tuesday night Gaudreau saw 27 shots, allowing four to finish the game with a 3.53 goals against average and a .852 save percentage. Gaudreau has played 23 playoff games in his OHL career recording a 2.60 goals-against average and a .907 save percentage.
BROADCAST COVERAGE
Thursday’s game vs the Erie Otters will be televised live throughout Kitchener and the Waterloo Region on Rogers TV, cable channel 20, and can be watched across the province of Ontario on the Super Sports Pak on channel 470 for cable subscribers. The game will be streamed live online on OHL Live on CHL TV. Additionally, fans can listen to Thursday night’s action on the radio on CityNews 570 AM CKGL.
UP NEXT:
The Rangers get back on home ice on Friday night for game five against the Otters. Puck drop is set for 7 pm at The Aud. Make sure you secure your seats and get your tickets at The Aud Box Office Sponsored by White Way Plumbing or online here.
For inquiries, contact:
Lindsay Eastwood
Manager of Communications and Team Services
Kitchener Rangers Hockey Club
613-793-0168
[email protected]
Photo Credit: Brandon Soto
