Game Recap: Malboeuf stands tall in his Kitchener debut
Sarnia, ON – Tristan Malboeuf made 15 saves in his debut in net as a Ranger in Sarnia to keep the team undefeated through their first three games. Kitchener defeated Sarnia 3-1 in Carson Campbell’s first return to Sarnia since he was traded in September.
The Rangers scored the first goal of the game on their first shot 6:57 in. Carson Rehkopf took the puck off Lukas Fischer at the Sting’s blueline and brought the puck down into their zone on a two on one where he passed the puck cross-crease to Adrian Misaljevic who buried it for his third goal of the year. This goal also put Rehkopf on a three-game point streak.
Malboeuf started his Rangers debut strong, making all six saves required of him in the first frame. He was acquired from the Brantford Bulldogs on September 28th. Sarnia goaltender Nick Surzycia made four of five possible saves in the period. The score after one period was 1-0 Kitchener and the shots were 6-5 Sarnia. Kitchener started the second period down a man for 1:21.
Kitchener killed off their penalty to start the second period. Rehkopf went on to score the Rangers’ second goal of the game on the powerplay off a shot from the half wall through a screen from Trent Swick at 7:26 into the period. The goal was assisted by Hunter Brzustewicz and Misaljevic. This would be Misaljevic’s seventh point of the young season; last season he recorded 11 points in 43 games.
James Barr cut the Rangers lead in half with his first career goal in the OHL. He scored 14:17 into the second period off a wrist shot from the point through a screen. Assists were credited to Sandis Vilmanis and Mitch Young.
Matthew Sop had his fair share of chances for the Rangers as he was launched onto his first of two shorthanded breakaways but was denied by Surzycia. Once again, the Rangers ended the period on the penalty kill. After the second period, the score was 2-1 Kitchener, and the shots were 16-11 also in favor of the Rangers.
The third period looked very similar to the second as there were plenty of great scoring chances, but goaltending stole the show. Surzycia made many sprawling saves throughout the frame including saves on Misaljevic from a cross-crease pass from Tomas Hamara, Sop’s second shorthanded breakaway, and a two-on-one with Rehkopf and Misaljevic.
These saves would keep the game within one until Surzycia was pulled with 1:56 left for an extra Sting attacker. Malboeuf shut the door on the Sting which allowed Luke Ellinas to take the puck down the ice to score his first career OHL goal giving the Blueshirts some insurance with 44 seconds remaining in the game. Trent Swick was credited with an assist on the goal.
Malboeuf made 15 of 16 saves for Kitchener and Surzycia made 23 of 25 saves for Sarnia. Kitchener went one for two on the powerplay and shut down all six Sarnia powerplays. Rehkopf was the first star of the game and Misaljevic was the third star, each with one goal and one assist. Surzycia was given the second star.
Up Next: Kitchener is back home at the Aud on Friday, October 6th to take on the Owen Sound Attack. Tickets can be found at The Aud Box Office sponsored by White Way Plumbing or online here.
Photo Credit: Natalie Shaver / OHL
For inquiries, contact:
Lindsay Eastwood
Manager of Communications and Team Services
Kitchener Rangers Hockey Club
613-793-0168
[email protected]
