FINAL: Rangers 5, Storm 4
The Kitchener Rangers headed down Highway 7 to face off with The Guelph Storm in a big matchup Friday night. This was the Rangers’ first game of a 3-in-3 weekend.
Both teams seemed ready to play once the puck dropped, as both exchanged multiple chances. Just before the halfway point of the period, Reid Valade threaded a pass through a Guelph defender, connecting with Francesco Pinelli. Pinelli finished the play by scoring and making it 1-0. The Rangers pressed Guelph hard for the rest of the 1st but could not crack goaltender Jacob Oster again.
Two minutes into the 2nd period, Jacob LeBlanc took a penalty and sent Guelph to the powerplay. Guelph capitalized on the man advantage to tie the game 1-1. Less than two minutes later, Cameron Mercer followed up on a point shot and tapped in the rebound to regain the lead, 2-1. Just after, Mitchell Martin tipped in a goal off a nice pass to extend the lead to 3-1. Late in the period, Guelph scored on a scramble in front of Pavel Cajan, making it 3-2. They would add another goal to tie the game 3-3, just before the end of the 2nd.
Francesco Pinelli took a head-checking penalty six minutes into the 3rd, giving Guelph a powerplay. Despite being short-handed, Mike Petizian snapped a shot home to regain the lead, 4-3. Just after, Adam Zidlicky went top-shelf on Guelph’s Jacob Oster to extend the lead to 5-3. Guelph added a goal past the midway point of the period, making it 5-4. Pavel Cajan made crucial saves down the stretch to help secure the 5-4 win for the Rangers.
We look to continue our momentum tomorrow when we take on the Knights in London at 4:00 p.m.
Our next home game is Sunday, March 27th, at 2:00 p.m. against The Flint Firebirds.
Tickets are available here.
