Game Preview: Rangers host Colts for out of Conference matchup
Kitchener, ON – The Rangers get back at it against the Barrie Colts after five days off. The Rangers will host the Colts for their first of two matchups this season, the puck will drop at 7:05 p.m. The Rangers welcome back Rangers Alumni Gabriel Landeskog, Ben Fanelli, Ben Thomson and Tyler Randell to the Aud.
- Tickets: Buy Online
- TV:Rogers TV cable 20 (Kitchener)
- Video Stream:OHL Live on CHL TV
- Radio:570 AM CKGL
- Live Stats
- Live Tweets
- Game Video Preview
Four Alumni return to the Aud:
Stanley Cup Champion and former Rangers captain Gabriel Landeskog will be in attendance, as well as former captain Ben Fanelli, Ben Thomson, and Tyler Randell. The four former Rangers teammates will take part in the ceremonial puck drop and will be participating in an autograph signing prior to the start of the game hosted in the Subscribers Lounge from 6:00-6:50 pm. A limited number of fans will be able to take part in this experience. In the interest of time, there will be no photos and fans will be limited to one item being autographed.
Ticket Information:
Tickets to Friday’s game are $22 for children and $26 for adults and can be purchased online now by clicking here. Additionally, tickets can be purchased in person at The Aud Box Office sponsored by Whiteway Plumbing at 400 East Avenue in Kitchener or at the Centre In The Square Box Office at 101 Queen Street North in Kitchener.
Head- to- Head:
Barrie being an out-of-conference foe, the Rangers have only played them eight times over the last five seasons. The Blueshirts hold the advantage with a 7-1-0-0 record.
The two clubs last met on February 11th, 2023, in a close match with the Rangers beating the Colts 4-3 in overtime. Mitchell Martin tallied two assists while Tomas Hamara (Ottawa), Matthew Sop, and Simon Motew all had one assist each; Motew assisted the game-winning goal in overtime. Returning Barrie centermen Jacob Frasca, Chris Grisolia, Cole Beaudoin, and Beau Jelsma all came out with a one-point that night.
Most recently, Barrie hosted the Niagara IceDogs, the game needed overtime and the Colts came out with a 7-6 victory to extend their record to 3-1-0-0 to start the season. On the other hand, Kitchener fell 8-2 loss against the Saginaw Spirit on Saturday night.
The Colts’ penalty kill has a 69% success rate but is 86% on visiting ice. Barrie’s powerplay is third last in the league at 6.2%. On paper, the Rangers’ penalty kill is slightly better than the Colts at 72% while their powerplay is middle of the pack in the league at 20%; the Rangers have scored on the powerplay three of 15 chances.
Scouting the Rangers:
The Blueshirts have started the season winning three of five games played. Adrian Misaljevic leads the team and is sixth in the league in points with nine (4G, 5A). Misaljevic recorded a goal and assist in the club’s last game on Saturday in Saginaw.
Leading the blueliners, and second in points for the Rangers, is Hunter Brzustewicz with seven (2G, 5A). Brzustewicz extended his point streak to four on Saturday after scoring the opening goal.
This will be Luke Ellinas’ first game against the team that drafted him in 2022. The Rangers and Colts made a late summer trade; Ellinas was acquired from Barrie for the Rangers fourth-round pick in the 2027 OHL Priority Selection.
Scouting the Colts:
Beau Jelsma leads the Colts with five points (2G, 3A). Jelsma collected all three of his assists in Barrie’s most recent game against Niagara on Saturday.
Despite missing the home opener, Jacob Frasca is the team’s top goal scorer with three goals and four points (1A) in three games played. Frasca led their team to victory over Niagara in their last game, after scoring two goals, one being the game-winning goal, and tallying an assist.
Following closely behind Jelsma and Frasca with four points each are Roenick Jodoin (2G, 2A) and Seattle draft pick Eduard Sale (4A). Between the pipes, overager Ben West is leading Barrie goaltenders with 3.89 goals against average and a 0.888 save percentage.
Waterloo native Beau Akey was selected by the Barrie Colts in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection 19th overall, and was drafted to the Edmonton Oilers in the 2023 NHL Draft in the second round 56th overall. Akey signed his entry-level contract with the Oilers on Tuesday.
Eduard Sale (Seattle), and Beau Akey (Edmonton) are two Colts skaters who have been drafted and signed by their NHL clubs. Goaltender Anson Thornton, who was undrafted in the NHL, signed an entry-level contract with the Arizona Coyotes in October 2021. Thornton remains up with the Arizona Coyotes organization and is projected to be unavailable to play on Friday.
Broadcast Coverage:
Friday’s contest vs. Barrie will be televised live throughout Kitchener and the Waterloo Region on Rogers TV, cable channel 20, and can be watched across the province of Ontario on the Super Sports Pak on channel 470 for cable subscribers. The game will be streamed live online on OHL Live on CHL TV. Additionally, fans can listen to Friday’s Opening Night on the radio on CityNews 570 AM CKGL.
Rangers Reach:
Support our community while cheering on your Rangers! Rangers Reach 50/50 Raffles take place at each Rangers home game and proceeds go to support our many community initiatives, including Scholarships, Community Impact Grants, in-kind donations, and more! Tickets start at just $5 and can be purchased online anywhere in Ontario at Rangers5050.com
Next Up:
The Rangers will host the Windsor Spitfires on Sunday afternoon for a 2:00 pm puck drop at The Aud. Tickets are available at The Aud Box Office Sponsored by White Way Plumbing or online here.
For inquiries, contact:
Lindsay Eastwood
Manager of Communications and Team Services
Kitchener Rangers Hockey Club
613-793-0168
[email protected]
