Game Recap: Kitchener scores three unanswered to beat North Bay 3-2
Game Summary: The Rangers went down two nothing after the first period but rallied scoring two in the second frame and one in the third to win 3-2 in North Bay. The game was heavily contested as there were 38 combined penalty minutes through the 60 minutes of play. However, Kitchener’s penalty kill was perfect killing all four Battalion powerplays.
Kitchener was without Carson Rehkopf who sustained an injury last night in Sudbury. Hunter Brzustewicz did not record a point, a rare occurrence for him as he had recorded a point in all but four games headed into today. Trent Swick and Justin Bottineau led the way for the Rangers each with a goal and assist and Matthew Sop scored Kitchener’s first goal for his second goal of the two-game trip up north.
Scoring Summary:
1st Period
NB 1, KIT 0
5:36 Owen Van Steensel (17) – Dalyn Wakely
Owen Van Steensel opened the scoring for North Bay off a rebound. Hunter Brzustewicz blew a tire behind the net while the puck bounced out in front. Dalyn Wakely got a shot off however Tristan Malboeuf made the save. The rebound bounced out to Van Steensel who put it past Malboeuf putting North Bay up one.
NB 2, KIT 0
15:00 Anthony Romani (31) – Penalty Shot
North Bay put themselves up two goals following a penalty drawn by their leading scorer Anthony Romani which led to the first penalty shot the Rangers have given up all season. Owen Van Steensel sent Romani onto the breakaway where Max Dirracolo took the penalty leading to the penalty shot. On the penalty shot Romani scored by faking his forehand and cutting to his backhand, at the last second, he cut back to his forehand and put it past Malboeuf to score.
2nd Period
NB 2, KIT 1
3:24 Matthew Sop (24) – Trent Swick
The Rangers cut the lead in half as Matthew Sop put them on the board. Trent Swick went behind the net and sent a pass out front to Sop. Sop sent a shot on net from the slot, however it was stopped by Dom DiVincentiis. Sop crashed hard towards the net, eventually finding his own rebound and tapping it in for his second goal in as many days.
NB 2, KIT 2
7:14 Trent Swick (18) – Kyle Morey, Justin Bottineau
Kitchener tied the game up off a smooth passing play on a three-on-one. On the play, Justin Bottineau sent a pass to Kyle Morey, who quickly shifted it over to Swick on the glove side of DiVincentiis. Swick took it down to the faceoff circle and hit the twine, tying the game.
3rd Period
NB 2, KIT 3
12:41 Justin Bottineau (4) – Cameron Reid
Kitchener took the lead for the first time in the game with a play off an offensive zone faceoff win. Justin Bottineau won the faceoff back to Cameron Reid and crashed towards the net. Reid fired the puck on net and Bottineau deflected it into the net to give the Rangers a lead they would not relinquish.
The Stars:
First Star: Justin Bottineau (1G, 1A)
Second Star: Anthony Romani (1G, 1A)
Third Star: Trent Swick (1G, 1A)
The Goalies:
Dom DiVincentiis got the start for North Bay, he made 25 of 28 stops in the loss moving his season record to 10-8-2-0. Tristan Malboeuf got the win after making 31 of 33 saves and improving his season record to 10-2-1-0.
The Numbers Game:
Shots: NB 33, KIT 28
Powerplay: NB 0-4, KIT 0-2
FO%: NB 58.2%, KIT 41.8%
Up Next: The Rangers return home on Friday, January 12th to take on the Erie Otters followed by another home game on Sunday, January 14th against the Ottawa 67’s. Don’t miss the action and grab your tickets at the box office sponsored by White Way Plumbing or online here.
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The Kitchener Rangers will be joined by hockey personality Paul Bissonnette also known as “BizNasty” for two different fan experiences and a special puck drop at the game on Sunday, January 14th vs. the Ottawa 67’s at 2 pm. These include a pre-game event in Subscribers Lounge with a mingle and Q+A and a separate event in the Blueline Club to watch the game and interact with Biz over some food and good hockey.
GET YOUR TICKETS HERE:
Biz Night Subscribers Lounge Experience
The Biz Night Blueline Club Experience
For inquiries, contact:
Lindsay Eastwood
Manager of Communications and Team Services
Kitchener Rangers Hockey Club
613-793-0168
[email protected]
Photo Credit: North Bay Battalion
