Final: Rangers 2, Greyhounds 5
Sault Ste. Marie, ON: The Rangers continued their northern swing in Sault Ste. Marie for their first contest against the Greyhounds this season.
The Greyhounds scored three goals late in the first period and despite Reid Valade and Isaac Langdon netting a couple in the second, the comeback couldn’t be completed and the Soo won 5-2.
Jacob Ingham saved 28 in the loss.
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After sustained pressure in the Rangers end to begin the game, the Greyhounds opened up the scoring at 15:18. A faceoff win for the red and white was immediately passed to Ryan O’Rourke who went low, glove-side past Jacob Ingham to make it 1-0.
At 17:22, the Soo opened up their lead when Cole MacKay, in a one-on-one battle with a Rangers defenseman, backhanded it just under the crossbar and it was 2-0.
Before the first period was out, the Greyhounds added to their lead. This time a series of quick passes on a break into the Rangers defensive zone led to a goal by Ryan Roth. 3-0.
After 20 minutes of play, the Greyhounds led in shots 10-8.
Kitchener got on the board at 10:01 of the second period. After a Soo player was stripped going into the Rangers end, Declan McDonnell found Riley Damiani who found Reid Valade (2) on a breakaway across the blue line and the right-winger went five-hole to bring the Rangers within two, 3-1.
At 12:44, the Rangers cut the lead to one. Ryan Stepien found Isaac Langdon (1) with his man beat streaking towards the net and Langdon went glove-side to beat Ethan Taylor and make it 3-2.
Axel Bergkvist also picked up an assist on Langdon’s first.
Through 40 minutes of play, the Rangers were being outshot by the Greyhounds, 22-15.
At 10:24 of the third period, Zack Trott capitalized on a Rangers neutral zone turnover and slid a goal past Ingham to make it 4-2.
With just under a minute left in the game, Rory Kerins scored on an empty Rangers net to seal the win, 5-2.
Final shots on goal were 33-23.
Kitchener’s next game is on the road on Sunday, September 29 at 2:05 pm versus the Sudbury Wolves. The Rangers return home on Friday, October 4 at 7:30 pm versus the Owen Sound Attack.
Tickets are available for all regular-season home games! Purchase yours in person at The Aud or Centre in the Square Box Office, by phone (519) 578-1570 or 1-800-265-8977, or online.
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