Rieder’s Game Winner Leads Rangers to 3-2 Victory in Owen Sound

Tobias Rieder scored once and set up another to lead the Kitchener Rangers to a 3-2 win over the Owen Sound Attack Saturday night. John Gibson made 35 saves for the Rangers and was named the evening’s first star. With the win, Kitchener takes a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven playoff series.

The Attack got on the board first, with a goal near the midway point of the first period. Defenseman Kyle Hope unleashed a hard point shot that flew over the glove hand of Rangers’ keeper John Gibson. His first of the postseason was assisted by Jake Dotchin.

Just 23 seconds later, the Rangers got the goal back. Michael Catenacci applied pressure on the forecheck and gained control of the puck behind the Owen Sound goal. He fired it around the boards to Max Iafrate at the point and he launched a hard shot by Attack starter Scott Stajcer. Ben Thomson also assisted on Iafrate’s first of the series. Catenacci’s helper was his fourth in two games.

The Attack led shots on goal 16-8 in the opening 20 minutes of play.

Gibson made six saves in a scoreless middle frame, while the Rangers fired 10 shots at the Owen Sound net.

The Rangers took a 2-1 lead early in the final period, capitalizing with the extra man. Tobias Rieder set up the goal with a cross-ice pass to Radek Faksa, who snapped a short-side shot past Stajcer for his first of the playoffs. The Czech-born centre led all OHL rookies with 29 goals and 66 points in the regular season. Catenacci picked up his second helper of the contest on the play.

Owen Sound responded with a power play goal just past the midway point of the frame. Gibson made the initial save but could not contain the rebound, which was collected by Cameron Brace and lifted over the goaltender for his second of the series. Daniel Catenacci and Chris Bigras were credited with the assists.

With just over two minutes to play Tobias Rieder tipped in Ryan Murphy’s point shot to give the Rangers a 3-2 lead. The German forward’s third of the postseason was also his second game winner in as many contests. The second assist was given to Ben Fanelli, his second point of the playoffs.

The Attack out-shot the Rangers 15-10 in the final period and finished the game with a 37-28 overall advantage. Gibson stopped 35 shots for Kitchener and was named the game’s first star.

The Rangers take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series, which returns to the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium on Monday, March 26 at 7pm.

Scoring
1. OS K. Hope, (1) (J. Dotchin), 8:33
1. KIT M. Iafrate, (1) (M. Catenacci, B. Thomson), 8:56
3. KIT R. Faksa, (1) (T. Rieder, M. Catenacci), 1:26 (PP)
3. OS C. Brace, (2) (D. Catenacci, C. Bigras), 11:32 (PP)
3. KIT T. Rieder, (3) (R. Murphy, B. Fanelli), 17:48

Three Stars
1. KIT – 35 John Gibson
2. OS – 11 Cameron Brace
3. KIT – 9 Tobias Rieder

Attendance: 2761

The Rangers return to The Aud for Game 3 (Home game B) on Monday, March 26 at 7:00 pm. Unclaimed season tickets for Monday’s game will be released Sunday, March 25 at 10:00am for public sale. Tickets to Rangers’ home playoff games 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
Sunday, March 25 – 10:00am to 5:00pm
Monday, March 26 – 10:00am – 8:00pm
Tuesday, March 27 – 10:00am – 4:00pm
Wednesday, March 28 – 10:00am – 4:00pm
Thursday, March 29 – 10:00am – 8:00pm

Centre In The Square Box Office Hours Of Operation
Sunday, March 25 – CLOSED
Monday, March 26 to Friday, March 30 – 10:00am – 8:00pm