Game Recap: Stark scores Four Goals in 6-5 win over Mississauga
Mississauga, Ont – Matheas Stark led Kitchener to a 6-5 win over the Mississauga Steelheads in the first game of a home-and-home series, scoring four goals in the contest. The Rangers played from behind most of the game but eventually took the lead in the third period and never gave it back up. Kitchener played with only 16 players dressed as they were missing Carson Rehkopf (Seattle), Hunter Brzustewicz (Vancouver), Tomas Hamara (Ottawa), and Matthew Andonovski (Ottawa) to their respective NHL training camps.
Kitchener gave up two goals just 2:04 into the game. The first goal was scored by Mississauga winger Mason Zebeski 22 seconds into the game. The assists were credited to Luke Misa and Zander Veccia. The Steelheads’ second goal of the period came just over a minute later, scored by Lucas Karmiris and assisted by Jakub Fibigr and Marc Boudreau. Kitchener goalie, Owen Edwards, finished the first period with 10 saves on 12 shots, and Mississauga goalie Jack Ivankovic finished the period with eight saves on eight shots. It remained 2-0 Steelheads heading into the second frame.
Kitchener came out strong in the second period and tied the game up. Matheas Stark scored the Rangers’ first goal of the game as he went down on a two-on-one and kept the puck for himself sniping on the entry. The goal took place 6:38 into the period and was assisted by Luke Ellinas and Simon Motew. This goal for Stark extended his point streak to six points in three games. The second goal of the period for the Rangers was scored on a point shot from Cameron Reid, 7:59 into the period. Trent Swick and Adrian Misaljevic were awarded assists on the goal. Mississauga responded as Marc Boudreau scored the Steelheads’ third of the game with 3:49 remaining in the frame. Lucas Karmiris and Adam Zidlicky were rewarded with assists on the play. Trent Swick then answered for Kitchener knocking in a rebound with 1:46 left in the period. Cameron Mercer was rewarded with an assist on the goal extending his point streak to three games with four points. Rangers’ newly acquired defender Carson Campbell tallied his first point as a Ranger on this goal as well. After two periods of play the game was tied 3-3 and the shots were 23-21 in favour of Mississauga.
Mississauga scored first to start the third period as Adam Zidlicky scored 4:35 into the frame to put the Steelheads up 4-3. Things turned around for Kitchener as Matheas Stark scored his first of three unanswered goals in the frame on a nice pass from Luke Ellinas. This goal was scored 5:17 into the third, and just four minutes later at 9:23, Stark scored his hattrick goal on a five-minute powerplay. This goal was assisted by Tanner Lam who finished the night with two assists and Cameron Mercer, who ended with three assists. This group scored again on the powerplay with 8:17 left in the game to make it 6-4 Rangers. Mississauga scored the last goal of the game less than a minute later by William Eggleton with assists to Kieran Witkowski and William Haley. The final shots of the 6-5 affair were 35-33 Mississauga.
Owen Edwards made 30 out of 35 saves for the Rangers and Mississauga’s Ivankovic stopped 27 of 33 shots. Kitchener’s powerplay went 2/5 and the penalty kill had a perfect record of 3/3.
Next Up: Kitchener is back up against the Mississauga Steelheads tomorrow, September 22nd at home. This is the last preseason game before Kitchener opens the regular season at home on September 29th vs. Saginaw. Tickets can be purchased at The Aud Box Office sponsored by Whiteway Plumbing or online here.
