Game Recap: Kitchener dominates in 8-0 win over Barrie
Kitchener, ON – The Kitchener Rangers welcomed back Gabriel Landeskog, Ben Fanelli, Ben Thomson, and Tyler Randell to the Aud tonight. Former Rangers Captain and Stanley Cup Champion (Colorado) Landeskog and his family took part in the ceremonial puck before the game. Tanner Lam scored his first career OHL goal tonight in the 8-0 shutout by Jackson Parsons. Carson Rehkopf recorded a third period hat trick while Matthew Sop dominated in the game, they both recorded four points.
Kitchener had a successful first period, scoring twice in the frame and leading shots 10-6 after the first period. 4:08 into the period Sop got the party started on a rebound in the paint. The original shot was from Tomas Hamara, who was rewarded with an assist on the goal. Ben West made the original save however Sop was there to put it home.
With 8:50 remaining in the period Kashawn Aitcheson was exiting the zone when Lam stripped him of the puck and went in on a breakaway. He cut across the crease and tucked the puck into the net on his backhand. This was Lam’s first career OHL goal as the former Halton Hurricane showed off his speed and goal-scoring touch that he demonstrated last year as he led the OMHA-SCTA in scoring.
The second period was very similar to the first as Kitchener continued to dominate. Adrian Misaljevic scored his fifth goal of the season on a deflected pass from Carson Rehkopf. Simon Motew recorded his first point of the year on this goal with a secondary assist.
Hunter Brzustewicz continued his goal streak as he has now scored in three straight games; the goal was scored with 10:11 remaining in the second period. Brzustewicz received a pass from Lam and scored on a snapshot from the left faceoff circle. Matthew Andonovski recorded his first assist of the year on the goal. Brzustewicz was originally Barrie’s fourth-round pick in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection before being traded to Kitchener.
After 40 minutes of play the Blueshirts were up 4-0 and the Rangers led in shots 27-10. In the second period, Kitchener outshot Barrie 17-4.
Kitchener did not back down in the third period continuing to pressure Barrie. Sop scored his second goal of the game on a one-timer 4:56 into the period. The pass came from Mitchell Martin’s cross-ice pass, Sop buried it behind a sprawling West. The Rangers continued the high pressure off a faceoff which led to a 6-0 Blueshirts lead. Trent Swick passed the puck behind the goalie to Rehkopf, and he scored his first goal of the game. Brzustewicz recorded his first of two assists on the night on the goal, which was scored with 12:52 left in the game.
With 9:22 remaining in the game Grayson Tiller took a double minor and 10-minute game misconduct for slashing and with 7:44 remaining in the period and Beau Jelsma went to the box for a holding penalty which created a full two minute five on three for the Rangers. Rehkopf and the Rangers would not need all two minutes. Rehkopf scored his second goal of the night, just 48 seconds in. A pass from Misaljevic across the ice to Rehkopf ended the first of the double minors. The Rangers had 1:12 on a five-on-three powerplay remaining, but 25 seconds later Rehkopf scored his third goal of the period for a natural hat trick. The goal was scored from the blueline off a pass from Brzustewicz that Rehkopf one-timed home. A secondary assist was awarded to Sop for his fourth point of the game; 8-0 Kitchener.
Kitchener did not let up on the pressure including another goal that was called back due to an offside. The final score of the game was 8-0 and Kitchener outshot Barrie 39-18. Parsons shut the door in the game recording his second shutout of the season.
The Rangers went 2/6 on the powerplay and 3/3 on the penalty kill. The first star of the game was Rehkopf with a natural hat trick and an assist, the second star of the game was Sop with two goals and two assists, and the third star of the game was Parsons making all 18 saves required of him and recording his second shutout of the season.
Up Next: Kitchener will return to the Aud this Sunday, October 15th, taking on the Windsor Spitfires at 2 pm. Tickets can be found at the box office sponsored by White Way Plumbing or online here.
Photo credit – Tiffany Luke / Kitchener Rangers
For inquiries, contact:
Lindsay Eastwood
Manager of Communications and Team Services
Kitchener Rangers Hockey Club
613-793-0168
[email protected]
