Robinson returns; Mascherin nets OT winner as Rangers down Attack

 

Adam Mascherin scored twice – including the overtime winner – as the Kitchener Rangers defeated the visiting Owen Sound Attack 3-2 in front of 6,450 fans at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex on Friday night.

The two point effort extends Mascherin’s point scoring streak to seven games – which mirrors the number his team has played this season.

When asked if he gave any thought to the streak headed into the third period and a point not yet registered, he simply said that while he was aware of it, it’s not the priority.

“I don’t really care about that. You think about it, for sure, but in the end it’s really not about that. It’s an added bonus when it happens and I’m helping the team win. But if I get eight points and we lose, let’s just say I will not be a very happy guy.”

The Maple, Ontario native and his teammates did, however, have lots to be happy about after tonight’s game, winning for the second time in front of their home crowd. Owen Sound didn’t make it easy though, as they stayed within striking distance of the Rangers and twice tied the game despite being outshot by a 2:1 margin or more at many points throughout the night.

The Rangers opened the scoring at 10:08 of the first period on a goal by Brandon Robinson, the Rangers 12th shot of the period, while the Attack, at that time, were held to just one. Mascherin said sometimes a team that seems like they have no business being in a game is the kind of team who gives you the most trouble.

“It’s kind of annoying when you can’t take shake a team when you outshoot them like that, but Owen Sound just seems like a team that competes right until the end.

“In the end, we worked hard just like they did, but we got the result we wanted.”

Robinson’s goal of course gave the Rangers the 1-0 lead, but it was all the more special since it was the first game of the season for the veteran who spent the summer healing from off-season surgery.

Returning to the ice after such a long absence brought back a plethora of feelings for the Pickering native.

“I was very anxious, nervous and excited. In a way I felt like I was 16-years-old again playing in my first OHL game. But eventually, all the emotions and nerves went away and I settled down and played my game. It was just nice to be out there with the boys again and contribute.”

Ryan MacInnis and Frank Hora picked up assists on the goal, which was the lone marker of the opening frame.

Shots were 17-7 in favour of Kitchener after the first period of play.

Despite outshooting the Attack 30-15 at the 16:03 mark of the second period, former Rangers centre Josh Sterk made it a 1-1 game, assisted by Santino Centorame and Michael McNiven. Sterk has proved potent when facing his former club, tonight registering his eleventh point in 14 career games against the Rangers.

Kitchener outshot Owen Sound 18-9 in the second period, and 35-16 through 40 minutes of play.

Just 2:11 into the third period, Jacob Friend was given a match penalty and ejected from the game after a slew-foot on Rangers centre David Miller. Miller had to be helped from the ice and did not return.

On the ensuing five-minute power play the Rangers capitalized, as Adam Mascherin extended his season-long seven game point streak with his fifth goal of the year – assisted by Bunnaman and MacInnis – at 4:04.

But the Attack just wouldn’t seem to go away, and with the shots weighted in Kitchener’s favour 47-23 the Attack once again scored the equalizer, this time on a goal by Jonah Gadjovich from Justin Brack with 6:17 to go in the third to make it 2-2.

Dmitrii Sergeev and Sterk were each called for coincidental roughing minors at 17:36, then Darby Llewellyn was called for slashing at 18:09 which led to 4-on-3 play in favour of the Attack for 1:27. The Rangers managed to kill the penalty and once again this season, send the game to extra time. Shots after 60 minutes were 47-27 in favour of the home side.

The 3-on-3 affair ended relatively quickly when Mascherin potted his second of the night at 1:47 of overtime to solidify the win for the Rangers, their second on home ice this season. Sergeev earned the lone assist on the game winner. Final shots were 48-30 Kitchener.

Each team capitalized once with the man advantage, Owen Sound going 1-for-3 while the Rangers were 1-for-4. With the Rangers power play goal, Heffner Toyota donates another $100 to Clarky’s Kids.

Luke Opilka earned the win in goal for the home side, turning aside 28 shots. McNiven kept his team in it for much of the night, stopping 45 of 48 Rangers shots.

MacInnis, Hora and Brian Brosnan each wore ‘A’s and skated as assistant captains for the game.

Hora (3), McNiven (2) and Mascherin(1) were chosen as the Three Stars of the game.

The Rangers continue their three-in-three weekend when they head to the Barrie Molson Centre tomorrow, Saturday, October 17th for a 7:30pm start against the Colts, then close out the weekend on Sunday when they take on the Guelph Storm at the Sleeman Centre at 6pm.

They return home to The Aud next Friday, October 23rd when they host the Peterborough Petes at 7:30pm. Tickets for the Rangers next home game are available online at kitchenerrangers.com, by calling Centre in the Square, or through The Aud Box Office.