Recap: Rangers drop first decision in two weeks Friday to Erie
Kitchener, Ont. – Both Francesco Pinelli and Carson Rehkopf recorded two points each and Marco Costantini made 39 saves on 45 shots but the Erie Otters skated away with a 6-3 victory in front of 5,730 fans at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Friday. It was the first defeat for the Rangers in two weeks coming after the Blueshirts won four consecutive games.
It was all Erie in the first period as they took the play to Kitchener early. 1:12 into the first period Erie opened the scoring. A forced turnover behind the Kitchener goal was thrown in front of the net by Liam Gilmartin (San Jose Sharks) for Brett Bressette to back-hand a shot past the glove of Marco Costantini. A similar goal at 11:07 doubled Erie’s lead. A dump in behind the Rangers net was stolen back by Kaleb Smith and another pass into the slot was fired home blocker side by Spencer Sova.
A minor penalty to each team led to four-on-four hockey. With some extra ice available, a seem pass by Erie defender Cameron Morton split the Kitchener defence at the blueline to send Elias Cohen in for a breakaway. Elias made no mistake faking a wrist-shot and sliding a backhand shot through the legs of Marco Costantini with four seconds left in the period.
After 20 minutes of play, Erie led 3-0 and shots also favoured the Otters 21-11.
It seemed a little more like the Rangers of the past couple games in the second period as the Blueshirts scored 15 seconds into the middle frame. Mitchell Martin stayed hot receiving a Roman Schmidt (Tampa Bay Lightning) pass crossing the Erie blueline and wristing a shot far side through the glove arm of the Erie goaltender. The Rangers thought they had pulled within a goal, but an Adrian Misaljevic chance was called back for a high stick.
Erie responded to go back up a pair at 15:51. A screen shot from the high slot from Colby Saganiuk found its way over the line squeaking through the glove arm of Marco Costantini. A late Kitchener power-play allowed them to cut the lead back in half. A pass across the point by Hunter Brzustewicz to Carson Rehkopf set him up to fire a shot near side over the blocker of Nolan Lalonde (Columbus Blue Jackets) from the top of the left circle. That goal extended Brzustewicz’s point-streak to nine games. After 40 minutes of play the score had Erie in front 4-2 and shots favouring the Otters 29-22.
The Rangers pushed hard in the third period, but to no avail. It was Erie adding two insurance goals late in period at 7:52 and 14:38. A point shot was blocked in front; Bruce McDonald spun around in the slot and roofed a shot in tight. Then, Malcolm Spence outwaited a sprawling Marco Costantini and lifted a shot under the crossbar. Captain Francesco Pinelli added a consolation goal on a breakaway sliding the puck through the legs of Nolan Lalonde to make the game 6-3 with just over two minutes left in the game.
The final score was 6-3 for Erie and finals shots also favoured the Otters 45-32. All three stars in tonight’s game were awarded to players on the Erie Otters. Kitchener finished the game 1-for-7 on the power-play and a perfect 2-for-2 on the penalty kill.
Next up: The Rangers will take their first trip across the border as they get set to face the Erie Otters on the back-half of a home-and-home series. Puck drop is set for 2 p.m. at the Erie Insurance Arena. Mike Farwell and Chris Pope will have the call on the radio on CityNews 570 AM CKGL. The game will also be televised live throughout the province of Ontario on the Super Sports Pak on channel 466 for cable subscribers and can be watched online on OHL Live on CHL TV.
Next Game at The Aud: Kitchener returns home for their first game in the month of November on Friday, November 4th. Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m. Great seats are still available here.
Photo Credit: Tiffany Luke / Kitchener Rangers
For inquiries, contact:
Dominic Hennig
Senior Director, Broadcasting, Communications & Hockey Operations
Kitchener Rangers Hockey Club
519-497-9342
dhennig@kitchenerrangers.com
