ROUND TWO, GAME FOUR PREVIEW: Kitchener Rangers vs. London Knights
Kitchener, ON – The Kitchener Rangers get set for game four in the best-of-seven series against the London Knights on Thursday. This is a must-win game for the Rangers as they are down 3-0 in the series. Puck drop is set for 7 pm at The Aud.
- TV: Rogers Channel 20 (Kitchener
- Video Stream: OHL Live on CHL TV
- Radio: 570 AM CKGL
- Live Stats
- Live Tweets
- Video Preview
- East Avenue Blue Magazine
SCHEDULE
Game 4: Thursday., April 18 at Kitchener, 7:00 PM
* Game 5: Friday., April 19 at London, 7:00 PM
* Game 6: Sunday., April 21 at Kitchener, 2:00 PM
* Game 7: Tuesday., April 23 at London, 7:00 PM
* If necessary, will be played
Kitchener Rangers Playoff Tickets:
Tickets for Game 4 are on sale now; you can purchase your seats online here. Fans can also call 519-578-1570 or you can purchase tickets in person at The Aud Box Office Sponsored by White Way Plumbing located at 400 East Avenue in Kitchener.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Game Three:
In a tightly contested game, the London Knights barely came out victorious in their 6-4 win on Tuesday night. The Knights went up early holding a 4-1 lead until the Rangers rallied from behind to tie the game up at four a piece three minutes into the third period. However, the Knights regained the lead at the halfway mark of the frame and held it the rest of the way. Jacob Julien (Winnipeg Jets) delivered his second OHL hat trick, while Sam Dickinson and Kasper Halttunen (San Jose Sharks) contributed a goal and an assist each. Isaiah George (New York Islanders) sealed the win with an empty-net goal. Adrian Misaljevic added a goal and an assist, with Trent Swick, Eduard Šalé (Seattle Kraken), and Cameron Mercer scoring the other three goals for the Rangers.
Game Two:
The London Knights closed game two with a 5-1 win. Knights’ goals were scored by Kasper Halttunen (San Jose Sharks- 1G, 2A), Kaleb Lawrence (Los Angeles Kings- 1G, 1A), Jackson Edward (Boston Bruins- 1G, 1A), Henry Brzustewicz, and Jacob Julien (Winnipeg Jets). Carson Rehkopf (Seattle Kraken) notched the Rangers only goal, assisted by Eduard Šalé (Seattle Kraken) and Filip Mešár (Montreal Canadiens). The Rangers recorded 24 shots, while the Knights edged ahead with 25.
Game One:
In a back-and-forth game, the London Knights finished on top with a final score of 5-3. Luke Ellinas, Eduard Šalé (Seattle Kraken- 1G, 1A), and Hunter Brzustewicz (Calgary Flames- 1G, 2A) scored the goals for the Rangers, while Cameron Reid tallied an assist and Filip Mešár (Montreal Canadiens) contributed two assists. Kaleb Lawrence (Los Angeles Kings) and Max McCue (Columbus Blue Jackets) each recorded a goal and assist for the Knights. Isaiah George (New York Islanders) and Oliver Bonk (Philadelphia Flyers) found the back of the net, while Denver Barkey (Philadelphia Flyers) also scored. Jacob Julien (Winnipeg Jets) and Jackson Edward (Boston Bruins) providing two assists each. Easton Cowan (Toronto Maple Leafs) extended his point streak to 41 straight games with an assist.
Playoff Statistics:
Kitchener
Overall Power Play: 3rd in the OHL at 28.6%
Home Power Play: 2nd in the OHL at 38.9%
Overall Penalty Kill: 3rd in the OHL at 81.6%
Home Penalty Kill: 8th in the OHL at 81.2%
London
Overall Power Play: 6th in the OHL at 26.9%
Away Power Play: 9th in the OHL at 25.0%
Overall Penalty Kill: 4th in the OHL at 80.6%
Away Penalty Kill: 7th in the OHL at 75.0%
SCOUTING THE RANGERS (41-23-4-0) 86 points 68 GP
4th in the Western Conference, 5th in the OHL
Rangers’ Watch:
- Eduard Šalé (Seattle Kraken) has played a big part in the Rangers’ offence (offense?) as he is tied for the most Rangers playoff goals and assists with five goals and 12 points. Šalé has two power play goals and four power play assists along with one game-winning and first goal so far this postseason. He extended his point streak to four games on Tuesday with six points (4G, 2A) through these games.
- Carson Rehkopf (Seattle Kraken) is trailing Šalé with five goals and five assists for 10 points, which is good for third on the Rangers. Rehkopf has three goals and two assists on the man advantage. The winger has only gone pointless in two games while collecting a point in seven this playoff run. The Seattle Kraken prospect has played 30 OHL playoff games having 11 goals and 11 assists for 22 points total.
- Hunter Brzustewicz (Calgary Flames) has registered one goal and six assists for seven points in nine playoff games this postseason. Like he has all season long, he continues to lead the Rangers blueline in points. The Calgary Flames prospect has played a total of 18 career OHL playoff games registering one goal, and 10 assists throughout those games.
Goaltending:
Jackson Parsons:
Jackson Parsons has played all nine playoff games so far with a 4-5 record. On Tuesday he was faced with 33 shots of which he stopped 28. Through his nine playoff games this season he has a 3.73 goals-against average and a .878 save percentage.
SCOUTING THE KNIGHTS (50-14-1-3) 104 points 68 GP
1st in the Western Conference, 1st in the OHL
Knights to Watch:
- Denver Barkey (Philadelphia Flyers) is leading the Knights in points in the playoffs with three goals and seven assists for 10 points. Barkey has three power play assists, one game-winning goal, and one insurance goal. On Tuesday night Barkey tallied three assists, one being on the man advantage. In his 32 career OHL playoff games, he has put up 15 goals and 36 points.
- Kasper Halttunen (San Jose Sharks) is second in points on the Knights so far this postseason with five goals and nine points. Halttunen has one power play goal, one game-winning goal, one first goal, and two power play assists.
- Isaiah George (New York Islanders) leads London’s defence in points with three goals and three assists. George has a plus/minus rating of 9 which is the best on the Knights. The New York Islanders prospect has played 27 career OHL playoff games and has three goals and nine points in those games.
Goaltending:
Michael Simpson:
On Tuesday night, Michael Simpson faced 29 shots, allowing four goals. This was Simpson’s seventh start this postseason in which he has a 2.36 goals-against average (third best in the league) and a .909 save percentage (fifth best in the league).
RANGERS REACH
Support our community while cheering on your Rangers! Rangers Reach 50/50 and game-worn jersey Raffles take place at each Rangers home game and proceeds go to support our many community initiatives, including Scholarships, Community Impact Grants, in-kind donations, and more! Your 50/50 and jersey raffle purchases help to make a difference in our community! Also, watch for our added 50/50 Playoff Bonus Jackpot that will run throughout the Rangers playoff run. You’ll be able to add this special Jackpot ticket to your regular 50/50 purchase. Tickets can be purchased online anywhere in Ontario at Rangers5050.com and rangersjersey.com.
BROADCAST COVERAGE
Thursday’s game vs the London Knights will be televised live throughout Kitchener and the Waterloo Region on Rogers TV, cable channel 20, and can be watched across the province of Ontario on the Super Sports Pak on channel 470 for cable subscribers. The game will be streamed live online on OHL Live on CHL TV. Additionally, fans can listen to Thursday night’s action on the radio on CityNews 570 AM CKGL.
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Come out and cheer on your East Avenue Blue in this crucial matchup tonight. You can purchase tickets by visiting The Aud Box Office Sponsored by White Way Plumbing or online here.
For inquiries, contact:
Lindsay Eastwood
Manager of Communications and Team Services
Kitchener Rangers Hockey Club
613-793-0168
[email protected]
Photo Credit: Tiffany Luke / Kitchener Rangers