Kitchener, Ont. – The Erie Otters NHL prospects came to play. 

Ty Henry (Chicago Blackhawks) and Lucas Ambrosio (L.A. Kings) scored 55 seconds apart midway through the first period to give the Otters a 2-0 lead in Kitchener, and they never looked back. But the Rangers kept them checking their rear-view mirror. 

A flurry of Rangers shots early in the second period were turned aside by Otters netminder David Egorov, before Liam Beamish broke through to give Erie a 3-0 lead. The Rangers would respond a short time later as Charlie Puglisi made a nice net drive and flipped a backhand over Egorov’s pad to make it 3-1. The Otters would next take three straight penalties, but the Rangers couldn’t capitalize on the advantages, including a 5-on-3 for almost a minute, and Kitchener went into the second intermission down by two.  

The Rangers fans were as engaged as ever, cheering strong shifts and keeping “Let’s Go Rangers” chants going throughout the third period, and the home team would respond. Luca Santala’s first OHL goal brought the Rangers within two midway through the third and a late power play goal from Luca Romano made it a one-goal game at 4-3 with just over two minutes to play. With their net empty, Kitchener continued to apply pressure until the final buzzer, but were unable to find the tying goal. 

With the loss, the Rangers fall to 1-2 on the season and in facing David Egorov, Kitchener was shooting against a former Brantford goalie for the second straight weekend (Ryerson Leenders is also a former Bulldog and started both games last weekend for the Owen Sound Attack against Kitchener). Of note, Kitchener native (and former Soo Greyhound/North Bay Battalion) Luc Brzustowski worked Friday’s game at The Aud as a referee. 

 

Scoring Summary: 

First Period 

ERIE 1 – KIT 0 – PPG 9:39 Ty Henry (1) – Mclean Agrette, Michael Dec 

ERIE 2 – KIT 0 10:34 Lucas Ambrosio (1) – Evan Headrick, Paul Schuster 

  

Second Period 

ERIE 3 – KIT 0 3:54 Liam Beamish (1) – Michael Dec, Julius Saari 

ERIE 3 – KIT 1 7:13 Charlie Puglisi (1)  – Avry Anstis, Logan Massimi 

  

Third Period 

ERIE 4 – KIT 1 – GWG 6:52 Liam Beamish (2) – Michael Dec, Mclean Agrette 

ERIE 4 – KIT 2 9:39 Luca Santala (1) – Cameron Arquette 

ERIE 4 – KIT 3 – PPG 17:58 Luca Romano (1) – Haeden Ellis, Jack LaBrash 

  

The Numbers Game: 

Shots by period: KIT 7, 13, 8 – Total: 28     ERIE 6, 9, 8 – Total: 23 

Power play: KIT 1/6 – ERIE 1/5 

FO%: KIT 53% – ERIE 47% 

  

The Starting Goalies: 

Jason Schaubel (KIT) – 19/23 Saves, Four Goals Against, Loss 

David Egorov (ERIE) – 25/28 Saves, Three Goals Against, Win 

  

UP NEXT: 

The Kitchener Rangers travel to Erie to face the Otters in their home opener Saturday night. Game time is 6:00 p.m. 

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