Faksa, Rieder Lead Rangers to 6-4 Win in Erie
Tobias Rieder and Radek Faksa each recorded two goals and a pair of assists on Saturday, propelling the Kitchener Rangers to a 6-4 win over the Erie Otters. Rookie Brent Pedersen and Andrew Crescenzi also scored for the Rangers, while Ryan Murphy and Ben Thomson each added two helpers.
It was a busy first period at both ends of the ice. The Rangers jumped in front just 19 seconds in, when rookie Ranger Radek Faksa converted the evening’s first shot on goal into his 27th of the season. The Czech-born centre extended his recent goal-scoring streak to three games and continues to lead the OHL rookie scoring race with a total of 63 points. Tobias Rieder and Ryan Murphy collected the assists on the play.
The Otters responded 44 seconds later, when Jake Evans snapped his team’s first shot of the game by Kitchener starter John Gibson. Assisting on the freshman forward’s 10th of the year were Sondre Olden and Troy Donnay.
Erie took a one-goal lead just past the midway point of the first period. Connor Crisp moved the puck to Mac McDonnell near the right face-off circle and he fired it past Gibson on the blocker side for his 10th. The assist was Crisp’s first point of the season. Mitchell Eisenberg also picked up a helper on the play.
The lead was short-lived. Just 62 seconds later, Brent Pedersen found himself alone in the slot where he collected a rebound and lifted it over right pad of Keinan Brown, who was appearing in his first game since being loaned to the Otters by Peterborough. Pedersen’s ninth of the season was assisted by sophomore forward Zach Lorentz.
The Rangers out shot the Otters 14-8 in the opening 20 minutes of play.
Kitchener jumped ahead 3-2 only ten seconds into the middle frame. Faksa’s shot bounced off Brown and onto the stick of Rieder, who slid it into the open cage. Officials initially waived off the goal, as the net came off its moorings, but video review showed that the puck did cross the line first and Rieder was awarded his 39th of the season. Ben Thomson picked up the second assist.
Rieder would add his second of the game 2:20 later, capitalizing on a Rangers’ power play opportunity. Murphy moved the puck to Faksa beside the Erie net and he found Rieder between the defenders, allowing him to chip a high shot over Brown. The German import’s lead-leading 40th of the year was also his seventh against the Otters this season.
Faksa collected his fourth point of the game near the five minute mark of the second period. Adam Pelech turned over the puck near the Kitchener blueline, springing the Rangers on the odd man rush. The freshman forward passed back and forth with Thomson before launching the puck over Brown’s glove hand. The goal was Faksa’s fifth in three games and 28th of the year, tying the Rangers’ record for import rookies. Rieder also picked up his second helper of the game on the play, bringing his season point total to 81.
Erie cut the lead to two before the end of the period. Anthony Cortellessa’s shot hit the right shoulder of Gibson, but trickled by the netminder and in for his fifth of the season. McDonnell and Eisenberg were each credited with their second assist of the game on the play.
The Otters took a 20-12 lead in shots on goal in the second frame.
Cortellessa notched his second of the game near the halfway point of the final period, deflecting Donnay’s shot past Gibson’s blocker to bring the Otters within one. The contest was the sophomore winger’s first career multi-goal game.
Andrew Crescenzi sailed a backhand shot into the empty from just inside red line to seal a 6-4 victory for the Rangers. The unassisted goal was the veteran centre’s 24th of the season.
The Rangers led shots on goal 13-8 in the third period, finishing with a 39-36 overall advantage. Gibson made 32 saves in his 19th victory of the season.
With the win, the Rangers (40-22-1-1) improve to 6-1 in their season series with the Otters. Erie falls to 10-48-3-3 this season.
Scoring
1. KIT R. Faksa, (27) (T. Rieder, R. Murphy), 0:19
1. ER J. Evans, (10) (S. Olden, T. Donnay), 1:03
1. ER M. McDonnell, (7) (C. Crisp, M. Eisenberg), 12:19
1. KIT B. Pedersen, (9) (Z. Lorentz), 13:21
2. KIT T. Rieder, (39) (R. Faksa, B. Thomson), 0:10
2. KIT T. Rieder, (40) (R Faksa, R. Murphy), 2:30 (PP)
2. KIT R. Faksa, (28) (B. Thomson, T. Rieder), 5:19
2. ER A. Cortellessa, (5) (M. McDonnell, M. Eisenberg), 11:43
3. ER A. Cortellessa, (6) (T. Donnay). 7:37
3. KIT A. Crescenzi, (24) (unassisted), 19:23 (EN)
Three Stars
1. KIT – 9 Tobias Rieder
2. ER – 9 Anthony Cortellessa
3. KIT – 94 Radek Faksa
Attendance: 3,354
The Rangers return to home ice on Sunday, March 11, when they host the London Knights at 7pm. Tickets may be purchased by phone at 519-578-1570 or 1-800-265-8977, via the internet or in person at The Aud Box Office or Centre in the Square Box Office.