Gibson Shuts Out Whalers in Game One
John Gibson made 40 saves as the Kitchener Rangers blanked the Plymouth Whalers 2-0 on Friday night. Tobias Rieder and Ben Thomson scored for the Rangers, who take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven semi-final series.
The Rangers tested Plymouth netminder Scott Wedgewood with 10 shots in a scoreless first period. John Gibson made seven saves for Kitchener through 20 minutes.
It looked like the score would remain knotted at 0-0 through two periods, but with 28 seconds remaining in the middle frame Tobias Rieder wired a shot from the high slot over Wedgewood, picking up his team-leading eighth of the postseason, assisted by Michael Catenacci.
The Whalers out-shot Kitchener 17-6 in the second period.
The Rangers took a two-goal lead midway through the final period of play. Catenacci’s cross-ice pass traveled ahead of Thomson, but the veteran power forward dove for the puck and was able to lift it high glove-side by Wedgewood. The captain’s second assist of the game brought his league-leading playoff points total to 16. Thomson’s second goal of the playoffs was also assisted by Ryan Murphy, who recorded his seventh helper of the postseason..
Plymouth led shots on goal 16-14 in the final period of play and finished the game with a 40-30 overall advantage, but were unable to solve Gibson, who recorded his first career playoff shutout and was named the evening’s first star.
The Rangers take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series, which returns to the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium on Sunday, April 8 at 7:00pm. Playoff scheduling and ticket information can be found here.
Scoring
2. KIT T. Rieder, (8) (M. Catenacci), 19:32
3. KIT B. Thomson, (2) (M. Catenacci, R. Murphy), 9:56
Three Stars
1. KIT – 35 John Gibson
2. KIT – 9 Tobias Rieder
3. KIT – 10 Michael Catenacci
Attendance: 3,026
800 unclaimed season tickets for the Kitchener Rangers Home Game 1 of the Western Conference Semi-Final playoff series against the Plymouth Whalers on Sunday, April 8th at 7:05pm will be released for public sale Saturday, April 7th at 10:00am.
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.
The Aud Box Office Hours Of Operation
Saturday, April 7: 10:00am – 2:00pm
Sunday, April 8: 5:00pm – 8:00pm
Centre In The Square Box Office Hours Of Operation
Saturday, April 7: 10:00am – 6:00pm
Sunday, April 8: Closed
Ticket Pricing:
Adults (ages 13 and up) $23.25
Children (ages 3 -12) $19.50
Please note that there are no refunds or exchanges on playoff ticket purchases.
