Richardson earns first career OHL shutout in 3-0 win over Colts
It was a night to remember for Kitchener Rangers goaltender Luke Richardson.
The 18-year-old, Barrie, ON native turned aside an incredible 43 shots against his hometown team en route to earning his first career Ontario Hockey League shutout, backstopping the Blueshirts (25-11-2-0) to a 3-0 win over the Barrie Colts (23-11-2-1) in front of 6,574 fans at The Aud on Tuesday night.
The win improves Richardson’s record to (18-8-1-0), as the puck stopper turned out a number of big time saves to tally his fifth straight win.
Two hundred feet away it was Leo Lazarev (17-9-2-0) who suffered the loss despite making 27 saves, but he didn’t manage to skip town unscathed. After making a stellar save of his own near the midway point of the third period he appeared to wince in discomfort. After a few more minutes in goal he left the crease and was replaced by Kai Edmonds.
Something was bound to give as the Rangers (four games) and the Colts (six games) each entered tonight with respective win streaks on the line, Kitchener extending theirs to a season-high five games.
Adam Mascherin’s point-scoring streak also lived on, as the Florida Panthers’ prospect has now registered points in 15 straight games (17G, 12A = 29 points).
After a scoreless first period, Riley Damiani quickly gave the Rangers a 1-0 lead just 20 seconds into the middle frame on the tail end of a power play, assisted by Kole Sherwood and Mascherin.
Kyle Gentles got credit for his first goal of the season after his shot from the point was deflected past Lazarev, giving Kitchener a 2-0 edge at 2:18, unassisted.
Shots were 14-14 after one period of play, and 28-24 Barrie after two.
After the teams shared a number of quality chances in the opening half of the third period it was the Rangers who struck again, as Logan Stanley extended the Kitchener lead to 3-0, from Joseph Garreffa and Sherwood at 7:25.
During one of the Rangers chances in the offensive zone, Lazarev was slow to get up after making a save, appearing to be in discomfort around his back. He was replaced by Edmonds during a stoppage of play at 11:12.
The Rangers finished the game 1-for-3 on the power play, while Barrie was 0-for-3 with the man advantage.
Logan Stanley (KIT) (3), Leo Lazarev (BAR) (2), and Luke Richardson (KIT) (1) were selected as the Three Stars of the Game.
Jake Henderson, Adam Mascherin, and Logan Stanley each wore an “A” and skated as alternates to Rangers’ captain Connor Bunnaman.
The Rangers are back in action on Friday night, January 5, when the play host to their third straight Eastern Conference opponent, the Mississauga Steelheads, at 7:30pm. They take to the road on Saturday, January 6 when they take on the Owen Sound Attack at 3pm in a game that will be nationally broadcast on Rogers Sportsnet on the CHL Saturday Showcase.
Regular season tickets to all Kitchener Rangers home games are $23.00 each for adults, $19.00 for children 12 and under including HST, and are available in person or by calling the Activa Box Office at The Aud, from Centre in the Square (519) 578-1570 -or- 1-800-265-8977, or by purchasing online.
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