Sherwood scores winner, Culina backstops Rangers to Game 2 victory
Kole Sherwood scored the game winner at 12:34 of the third period and Mario Culina made 41 saves as the Kitchener Rangers defeated the Guelph Storm, 2-1, in front of 5,822 fans at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium in Game 2 on Sunday night.
The Rangers now lead the best-of-seven series, 2-0, with Game 3 slated for Tuesday, March 27 at 7pm at the Sleeman Centre.
The Storm opened the scoring just 1:49 into the game as a fortuitous bounce went their way. The puck careened off the glass behind the Kitchener goal, but bounced off of Culina and into the net to give the visitors a 1-0 edge. Cam Hillis was credited with the goal, with the assists to Mark Shoemaker and Alexey Toropchenko.
The Rangers would tie the game, 1-1, as Givani Smith found the scoresheet for his first of the playoffs against his former team on a nice rebound. Logan Brown and Adam Mascherin earned the assists on the goal at 10:07 of the frame, which closed out first period scoring.
Shots on goal through the opening period narrowly favoured Guelph, 12-11.
After a scoreless second period which saw shots sit at 30-20 through 40 minutes, the Rangers finally took their first lead of the night at 12:34 of the third period. Perched at the side of the net, Sherwood registered his second of the playoffs, assisted by Brown and Nick McHugh.
Final shots on goal at the end of regulation favoured Guelph, 42-32.
The Rangers were 1-for-1 on the power play, while the Storm were 0-for-2 with the man advantage.
Ryan Merkley (GUE) (3), Logan Brown (KIT) (2), and Mario Culina (KIT) (1) were selected as the Three Stars of the Game.
Logan Stanley, Adam Mascherin, and Logan Brown each wore an “A” and skated as alternates to Rangers’ captain Connor Bunnaman.
Tickets to all Kitchener Rangers home playoff games are $24.00 each for adults, $20.00 for children 12 and under including HST. They 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 here. Fans can also find more information about playoff tickets here.
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Western Conference Quarter-Final
(2) Kitchener Rangers vs. (7) Guelph Storm
Kitchener leads series 2-0
Game 1 – Friday, March 23: Guelph Storm 2 at Kitchener Rangers 7
Game 2 – Sunday, March 25: Guelph Storm 1 at Kitchener Rangers 2
Game 3 – Tuesday, March 27: Kitchener Rangers at Guelph Storm 7pm
Game 4 – Wednesday, March 28: Kitchener Rangers at Guelph Storm 7pm
*Game 5 – Friday, March 30: Guelph Storm at Kitchener Rangers 7:30pm
*Game 6 – Sunday, April 1: Kitchener Rangers at Guelph Storm 2pm
*Game 7 – Tuesday, April 3: Guelph Storm at Kitchener Rangers 7pm
(*if necessary)