Attack Avoid Elimination, Down Rangers 6-5 in OT
The Owen Sound Attack avoided playoff elimination with a 6-5 overtime win over the Kitchener Rangers on Wednesday. Kyle Hope scored the game winner for the Attack, one of his two goals on the night. Tobias Rieder and Michael Catenacci led the Rangers’ offense: Rieder scored twice and set up another, while the captain contributed four assists. Kitchener continues to lead the best-of-seve series 3-1.
The Rangers hit the score sheet first with a power play marker 5:46 into the first period. Tobias Rieder collected a rebound in front of Attack netminder Scott Stajcer and lifted a backhand shot high, just clearing the crossbar to put Kitchener ahead 1-0. His team leading fourth of the playoffs was assisted by Ryan Murphy and Michael Catenacci.
Owen Sound responded near the midway point of the period. Cameron Brace cut up the middle into Kitchener territory and fired a shot that bounced off Kyle Hope in front of the net and in.
The Attack took a lead into the first intermission after rookie Zach Nastasiuk won a face-off in the Rangers’ zone and drove to the front of the net, where he tipped Keevin Cutting’s shot past netminder John Gibson. Bigras also picked up helper on Nastasiuk’s first career OHL playoff goal.
Owen Sound out-shot the Rangers 12-10 in opening period of play.
The Rangers evened the score less than two minutes into the second frame. Keli Grant’s cross-ice pass found Zach Lorentz in front and he beat Stajcer for his second goal in as many games. Murphy was credited with his second assist of the game on the play.
Seven minutes later, the Attack broke into the Kitchener zone on an odd-man rush. Gemel Smith’s shot was stopped, but Daniel Zweep was in front of the net to bang the rebound under Gibson for his first of the series. Cutting also collected an assist – his second of the night.
Owen Sound extended its lead to two by capitalizing with the man-advantage. Just six seconds into a minor penalty to Cody Sol, Bigras collected the puck off the face-off near the Kitchener blue line and stepped into a shot that beat Gibson. Daniel Catenacci and Brace picked up the helpers on Bigras’ second of the postseason.
The goal would end Gibson’s night – Franky Palazzese made his first appearance of the series after his counterpart allowed 4 goals on 22 shots.
The Rangers soon cut the deficit to one goal, taking advantage of a 4-on-3 power play with five minutes to play in the second period. Stajcer got a piece of a shot by Michael Catenacci, but Andrew Crescenzi found the puck in the crease behind the netminder and tapped it in. The veteran centre’s second of the playoffs was also assisted by Murphy.
Each team fired 14 shots on goal during the middle frame.
Owen Sound re-established their two-goal cushion less than two minutes into the final frame. With the Attack on the penalty kill, Brace stripped the puck in the neutral zone and moved it to Daniel Catenacci, who snapped it past blocker-side past Palazzese. The short-handed goal was the centre’s first of the series.
Five minutes later, Rieder drove to the net and was brought down by an Attack defender, but not before pushing the puck over the goal line. After review the goal was confirmed and the German import’s second of the game cut the Attack’s lead to 5-4. Michael Catenacci picked up his third helper of the game on the play and Ben Thomson was credited with the other assist on Rieder’s fifth of the series.
Kitchener completed the comeback with 58 seconds remaining on the clock. With the Rangers’ net empty, Cody Sol’s long shot through traffic found the top corner of the net. His second goal in as many contests forced the game to an extra frame. Catenacci added an assist on the play, his fourth point of the night. The overage captain leads the league with 12 points in four games this postseason. Rieder also picked up a helper on the play.
The Rangers led shots on goal 14-9 in the third period.
Kyle Hope’s second of the night was the overtime winner, coming 5:49 into the period. The blueliner slid the puck through the five-hole of Palazzese to seal a 6-5 victory. Brayden Rose and Holden Cook were credited with the assists on Hope’s third of the playoffs.
The Attack out-shot the Rangers 10-3 in overtime and finished with a 45-41 overall advantage. Palazzese made 21 saves in relief of Gibson.
With the win, Owen Sound forces Game 5 of the series, which will take place Friday, March 30 in Kitchener. The Rangers lead the best-of-seven series 3-1.
Scoring
1. KIT T. Rieder, (4) (R. Murphy, M. Catenacci), 5:46 (PP)
1. OS K. Hope, (2) (C. Brace), 8:58
1. OS Z. Nastasiuk, (1) (K. Cutting, C. Bigras), 17:40
2. KIT Z. Lorentz, (2) (R. Murphy, K. Grant), 1:52
2. OS D. Zweep, (1) (G. Smith, K. Cutting), 8:47
2. OS C. Bigras, (2) (D. Catenacci, C. Brace), 11:03 (PP)
2. KIT A. Crescenzi, (2) (M. Catenacci, R. Murphy), 14:47 (PP)
3. OS D. Catenacci, (1) (C. Brace), 1:52 (SH)
3. KIT T. Rieder, (5) (M. Catenacci, B. Thomson), 6:52
3. KIT C. Sol, (2) (M. Catenacci, T. Rieder), 19:01
OT. OS K. Hope, (3) (B. Rose, H. Cook), 5:49
Three Stars
1. OS – 26 Kyle Hope
2. KIT – 9 Tobias Rieder
3. OS – 24 Chris Bigras
Attendance: 2,551
With the loss, Game C (Home Game 3) is required. Tickets for Game C (Home Game 3) at The Aud on Friday, March 30 at 7:30 pm will go on sale to the public tomorrow – Thursday, March 29th at 10:00am.
ATTENTION SEASON TICKET HOLDERS: Those who have not already purchased playoff tickets will have their seats for Game C (Home Game 3) held until 8pm on Thursday, March 29th, otherwise they will be released for public sale on Friday, March 30 at 10:00am.
The Aud Box Office Hours of Operation
Thursday, March 29 – 10:00am – 8:00pm
Friday, March 30 – 10:00am – 8:00pm
Saturday, March 31 – 10:00am – 6:00pm
Sunday, April 1 – 10:30am – 4:00pm
Centre In The Square Box Office Hours of Operation
Thursday, March 29 – 10:00am – 8:00pm
Friday, March 30 – 10:00am – 8:00pm
Saturday, March 31 – 10:00am – 6:00pm
Sunday, April 1 – closed
