Game Preview: Rangers look to Rebound on Road in Erie
Erie, PA – The Kitchener Rangers look to continue their winning ways on the road and try to spoil the home opener for the Erie Otters tonight. Erie escaped Kitchener with a 4-3 win last night as time ran out on the Rangers, who were pressing until the final buzzer after scoring twice in the third period. Newly acquired Luca Santala scored his first OHL goal for Kitchener last night, while Luca Romano notched his first of the season after returning from NHL training camp with the New York Islanders.
TV: Rogers Channel 20 (Kitchener)
Rogers Super Sports Pak Channel 469 (Ontario)
Video Stream: Live on FloHockey
Radio: CKWR 98.5
THE OPPONENT
Michael Dec paced the Otters in last night’s win, picking up three assists and moving into a tie with Jake Murray for the early season points lead in Erie. Both Dec and Murray have three points so far, all of them assists. Liam Beamish scored twice last night for Erie, and the Otters killed off five of six Rangers power plays in the game. Erie now boasts the fifth best penalty kill in the OHL at just under 91%.
HEAD-TO-HEAD Tonight marks the second of six regular season meetings between the Rangers and Otters, and the first in Erie. The Otters sit second in the Midwest Division with a 2-0 record and four points. The Rangers are 1-2 and sit third with two points. Erie has also allowed a Western Conference low four goals so far this season.
PAST YEARS Kitchener won five of the six games against Erie last season, including all three at the Erie Insurance Arena. The Otters had reeled off four straight wins in their annual home opener through 2023, but they’ve dropped their past three, including a 3-1 loss last year to the Rangers.
RANGERS ROUND UP (1-2-0-0)
Kitchener’s first win of the season came on the road last week in Owen Sound. The Rangers are currently led in scoring by Cameron Arquette, who has three points (all assists) in three games so far this season. Tanner Lam (2g), Avry Anstis (1g,1a), and Jack LaBrash (2a) have two points each.
SCOUTING THE OTTERS (2-0-0-0)
Liam Beamish is off to a strong start in Erie. Beamish had 25 career goals in 106 career games with the Sarnia Sting, but he’s already got two goals in his first two games as an Otter. Beamish’s two goals have also come on his only two shots of the season so far, giving him a shooting percentage of 100%. Michael Dec has also enjoyed his time in Erie after being acquired in a trade last season with the Owen Sound Attack. Dec had 24 points in 24 games with Owen Sound, but has contributed 56 points – including 25 goals – in just 48 games with the Otters. Erie’s power play has been clicking early, going 3-for-8 and sitting in top spot in the Western Conference and third best in the OHL at 37.5%.
BROADCAST COVERAGE: Saturday’s game against the Erie Otters will be televised on Rogers TV (Channel 20). It can be watched across the province of Ontario on the Super Sports Pak on channel 469 for cable subscribers. The game will be streamed live online on FloHockey. Additionally, fans can listen to tonight’s action on the radio on CKWR 98.5 FM or online at www.ckwr.com.
UP NEXT: After tonight’s game, the Rangers will finish their only three-games-in-three-days stretch of the season, coming home to face the Kingston Frontenacs on Sunday night. The Rangers will be eager to grab that first win of the season on home ice as they face a Frontenacs team that is also completing a stretch of three games in three days. Puck drop is set for Sunday at 6:00 p.m. and you can cheer on your Rangers at The Aud by getting tickets at The Aud Box Office sponsored by White Way Plumbing or online here.
Don’t miss any Rangers updates throughout the season by following the club on Instagram, X and Facebook at @OHLRangers. Join the conversation on all things Rangers by using the hashtags #RTown and #OHLRangers.
