Five different goal scorers propel Rangers to 5-1 win over Storm
Gustaf Franzen tallied a goal and an assist, and his linemate Connor Bunnaman – a Guelph native – added a pair of assists as the Kitchener Rangers (18-2-3-0) skated away with a 5-1 win over the Guelph Storm (2-19-1-0) at the Sleeman Centre on Saturday evening.
The third member of their line, Joseph Garreffa, came within inches of his first Ontario Hockey League goal after a nice wrap around effort in the third period, but would settle for an assist on the eventual Franzen goal. Bunnaman said post game that he, as well as his teammates, never cease to be amazed by the effort night-in and night-out from Garreffa, and that his first OHL goal is soon to come.
“We switched up our lines, but as far as Joe goes, I don’t know how he comes out every night with the speed he has, and the energy,” said Bunnaman. “It’s incredible. We all wanted him to get his first goal there tonight, but he got the assist and he’s doing great to start the season.
The energy doesn’t just stay on the ice for the 16-year-old, however, as Garreffa was still buzzing after the game when reflecting on the production of his linemates and the play which almost equated into his first major junior goal.
“It was my first game playing with Franzen and Bunnaman, and it was just really fun playing with those two guys. They’re two quality players,” Garreffa praised. “I like playing with Goose [Franzen], he’s got that Swedish flare out there.
“On the play where I almost scored, I just tried to wait out the goalie and took it around the net. When I got around I was kind of thinking, ‘I’ve got an empty net, I’m gonna score,’ but then it didn’t end up going in.
“I was kind of frustrated at first, but once Goose put it in, you know what, I was just happy that we got on the board again and he was there to tap it in. That’s what matters.”
The win wrapped up a weekend which saw the Rangers take four points from two Midwest Division rivals in the Storm, and the Knights (a 4-2 win on Friday night at Budweiser Gardens).
While head coach Mike Van Ryn thought his team got off to a bit of a slow start through the majority of the first 40 minutes of today’s game, he says they’ll work hard in practice this week ahead of their next game, a Thursday meeting on the road with the Erie Otters. Bunnaman said it’s a game that he and his teammates are very much looking forward to.
“We want [the win] bad. After the win in London last night it just further proves to us that we can compete with the big teams in this league. We’ll be ready for Thursday.”
Mason Kohn opened the game’s scoring after banking in a loose puck past Guelph goaltender Bradley Van Schubert at the 8:30 mark of the first period, assisted by Bunnaman and Franzen, for a 1-0 Rangers lead. Despite only taking a one goal lead into the first intermission the visitors dominated the shot clock, outshooting the Storm 13-5 in the opening 20 minutes.
Just past the midway point of the second period, the Storm got on the board as Vladislav Barulin scored at 11:10 from Isaac Ratcliffe and James McEwan to tie the game, 1-1. The stalemate was short lived, however, as Dylan Di Perna registered his second goal of the season with a slap shot from the point that beat Van Schubert top corner, blocker side to restore the Rangers one goal lead at 2-1. Ryan MacInnis and Doug Blaisdell picked up the assists on the goal at 11:47.
After 40 minutes of play the Rangers outshot the Storm 26-13, including 13-8 in the middle frame.
With ten seconds left of four-on-four play, Adam Mascherin registered his tenth goal of the year from the bottom of the far circle, assisted by Elijah Roberts at 1:24 of the third period to give the Rangers their first two goal lead of the night, 3-1.
Garreffa’s impressive wrap around attempt which was finished off by Franzen gave the Rangers a 4-1 lead at 11:17 of the third, with Bunnaman picking up the second assist. Jeremy Bracco made it 5-1 just 3:29 later assisted by Brandon Robinson and Dmitrii Sergeev at 14:36 to close out the game’s scoring.
Shots were 14-10 in favour of the Rangers in the third period, and 40-23 overall.
Rangers netminder Luke Opilka earned his 13th win of the season (13-2-2-0), making 22 saves in goal. Van Schubert took the loss in goal for the Storm, allowing five goals while facing a barrage of 40 Rangers shots.
Neither team was able to capitalize on the man advantage, with the Rangers going 0-for-2 while the Storm were 0-for-3.
MacInnis, Robinson and Frank Hora each wore ‘A’s and skated as alternate captains for the game.
Franzen (3), Kohn (2) and Bunnaman (1) were chosen as the Three Stars of the Game.
The Rangers are back in action on Thursday, November 26th when they travel to Erie to take on the Otters for the second time in eleven days for a 7pm start.
Tickets for the Rangers next home game are available online at kitchenerrangers.com, by calling Centre in the Square, or through The Aud Box Office.
