EAST AVE ALERT: STING AT RANGERS
1. EVEN IT OUT
The Sting (23-19-4-2) have won 2 of 3 in the season series so far, including last night’s 3-0 victory. Kitchener picked up a win RBC Centre last month in an extra frame: defenceman Frank Hora chipped in the overtime winner, lifting the Rangers to a 3-2 victory. With one point separating the teams in the Western conference, tonight is a key game for both clubs.
2. HOMECOMING
Waterloo native Brandon Lindberg scored once and added an assist in last night’s win. Forwards Troy Lajeunesse and Chase Campbell, and defenceman Josh Defarias are all graduates of the Waterloo Wolves program, as is assistant coach Chris Lazary. On the home-side bench, Rangers associate coach Mike Van Ryn played his 1999-2000 OHL season in Sarnia, recording 41 points.
3. HOMECOMING… PART 2
The Rangers (23-16-3-6) have won six straight on East Ave, including the three-game stretch earlier this week. While they did fall to the Sting here at The Aud in December, the Blueshirts are 16-6-1-2 at home. OHL Goaltender of the Month Jake Paterson is undefeated on home ice since arriving in an early January trade.
4. PLAYOFF PICTURE
A streak of three straight wins earlier in the week against Western Conference teams (Owen Sound, Guelph, London) lifted the Rangers into fifth place in the standings. The boys are three back of the Storm for the #4 spot in the West, but the Sting and Attack are nipping at their heels. Sarnia has four wins in its past ten games.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Rearguard Frank Hora scored the game winner in the extra frame against the Sting last month, one of three goals on the year. The Cheektowaga, NY native also leads the club with a +16 rating.
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WANT TO LEARN MORE?
Pick up your copy of East Avenue Blue at every Rangers home game. Stats, matchup notes, game day profiles and more. Available at every entrance to The Aud for $3 each!
