Rangers score four on the power play en route to 5-1 exhibition win over Steelheads
It was one of those games that you wish could have actually counted in the standings – if you’re a fan of the Rangers.
The Kitchener Rangers were an impressive 4-for-7 on the power play, scoring all but one of their five goals of the day while on the man advantage as they skated to a convincing 5-1 win over the Mississauga Steelheads in front of 2,359 fans in 2016-17 OHL exhibition action Sunday afternoon at the Aud.
While their special teams play was on point, another key to the Rangers’ victory was the play of their starting goaltender, overager Dawson Carty. The Mississauga native was up to the task Sunday, stopping 31 of 32 shots strewn his way, with the only goal beating him coming off the stick of a Rangers’ defenceman after an inadvertent tip in the slot.
Eric Guest stood out, as the rookie registered three assists – including the primary assist on the eventual game winner. Newcomer Cedric Schiemenz scored and also picked up an assist on the game winner, while Pittsburgh Penguins prospect Connor Hall scored the winner and added an assist in the win.
Jacob Ingham tended the crease for the Steelheads and took the loss, allowing five goals on 32 shots.
With Jacob Moverare serving a checking from behind minor for a hit on Jake Henderson in front of the Rangers bench, the home team opened the scoring near the end of the first period. A point shot from Guest was redirected nicely in front by Riley Damiani, beating Ingham to give the Rangers a 1-0 lead on the power play, with the second assist to Hall. The Rangers outshot the Steelheads 11-5 in the opening frame.
Just over the midway point of the second period, the Steelheads once again found themselves shorthanded. With the first of two penalties set to expire, Schiemenz buried his first of the preseason to give the Rangers their second power play goal of the afternoon and a 2-0 lead at 8:01 of the second period.
Just under two minutes later it was Mississauga’s turn to strike on the power play, as an unlucky tip by a Rangers defencemen in front of Carty deflected the puck into the back of the net to cut the Kitchener lead to 2-1 at 9:50. Ryan McLeod would get credit for the goal, with assists to Nicolas Hague and Sean Day.
Hall would pick up his second point of the game, and first goal of the preseason, when he tallied the Rangers’ third goal while on the man advantage, beating Ingham at 14:13 from Guest and Schiemenz.
The Rangers weren’t done there, however, as they would add yet another power play goal before the period was out, this time from the stick of Dylan Di Perna, assisted by Mascherin and Roberts at 16:11 to make it 4-1.
Henderson would round out the game’s scoring with the lone even-strength marker for either side, making it 5-1 Kitchener at 13:36 from Nick McHugh and Guest.
Shots were 23-21 Kitchener after 40 minutes and 32-32 at the end of regulation.
The Steelheads would go 1-for-5 on the power play, while the Rangers went 4-for-7.
Hall (KIT) (3), Carty (KIT) (2), and Guest (KIT) (1) were selected as the Three Stars of the Game.
Mascherin, Connor Bunnaman, and Jacob Cascagnette each wore “A’s” and skated as alternate captains for the Rangers.
The Rangers are back in preseason action when they travel to Toronto to take on the Steelheads at the Mattamy Athletic Centre (formerly Maple Leaf Gardens) on Wednesday, September 7th at 7pm.
The second and final home exhibition game for the Rangers will be Friday, September 9th as the Niagara IceDogs come to town for a 7:30pm start. Tickets to this game will be available in person at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Box Office, and in person or by phone through the Centre in the Square Box Office.
The Rangers close out the preseason schedule when they travel to Beamsville to take on the IceDogs the following afternoon, Saturday, September 10th at 3pm.
The 2016-17 OHL regular season kicks off with the Rangers hosting the Flint Firebirds on Friday, September 23rd at 7:30pm. Regular season tickets are $22.50 each for adults, and $18.50 for children 12 and under, including HST.
Tickets are available now at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Box Office, Centre in the Square, and online.
