Game Preview: Rangers Look to Get Back into Win Column against Guelph

Category: video2 February 2024

Kitchener, ON – The Kitchener Rangers look to break a five-game losing streak against the Guelph Storm on Friday night. The Rangers’ last win was against the Storm on January 17^th. Puck drop is set for 7 pm at The Aud.

TV: Rogers Channel 20 (Kitchener)
Video Stream: OHL Live on CHL TV
Radio: 570 AM CKGL
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PROMOTIONS

The Rangers will be wearing the winning jersey design from the #CHLJerseyContest. These game worn jerseys will be auctioned off with 100% of proceeds going to President’s Choice Children’s Charity to help feed one million kids each year! You will be able to bid on your favourite player’s jersey online here once the jerseys are revealed. Bidding will be open until Friday, February 9th.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

This Season:

At the midway point between the Rangers and Storm’s campaign this season, Kitchener owns the season series at 3-1. The two clubs have only played at The Kitchener Memorial Auditorium once this season back on December 5^th when the Rangers won 5-2 in their Annual Teddy Bear Toss game. In their most recent clash on January 17th, the Rangers won 5-1. Trent Swick secured the game’s first star by scoring two goals, Simon Motew was awarded the second star with one goal and one assist, and Matthew Sop was the game’s third star with two assists. Jett Luchanko notched the only goal for the Storm, assisted by Braeden Bowman and Jake Karabela (Washington Capitals).

Over the Years:

Being divisional rivals, the Rangers and Storm have faced off 38 times over the past five seasons. The Rangers own a 24-13-1-0 record against the Storm and continue to dominate on home ice with a 12-6-0-0 record at The Aud. In these 38 games, Kitchener has netted 145 goals while the Storm have scored 136. This past season the Rangers’ record was 6-2-0-0 and when on home ice they went undefeated against the Storm.

Team Statistics:

Kitchener

Overall Power Play: 5^th in the OHL at 23.6%

Home Power Play: 6^th in the OHL at 24.7%

Overall Penalty Kill: 8^th in the OHL at 80.7%

Home Penalty Kill: 1^st in the OHL at 84.8%

Guelph

Overall Power Play: 6^th in the OHL at 23.3%

Away Power Play: 10^th in the OHL at 21.3%

Overall Penalty Kill: 9^thin the OHL at 79.8%

Away Penalty Kill: 4^th in the OHL at 85.1%

SCOUTING THE RANGERS (30-16-2-0)

4^th in the Western Conference, 6^th in the OHL / 4^thin Week 17 of the OHL Power Rankings

Last Time Out:

The Rangers have gone without a point over the past five games. This is the longest Rangers losing streak since December 28^th, 2022- January 13^th, 2023, which spanned seven games.

In Tuesday night’s game against London, the Rangers had 24 shots ultimately losing 4-0 in a game that was closer than the score would indicate. It was the first time this season that Kitchener has been shut out.

Rangers to Watch:

Matthew Sop is second on the Rangers and fifth in the OHL in points with a 28-38-66 stat line. Over his last 10 games played Sop has collected 10 points, six goals, and four assists. In four games against Guelph this season Sop has registered two goals and six assists.
On January 31^st, Hunter Brzustewicz was part of a trade from the Vancouver Canucks to the Calgary Flames. The Flames now hold Brzustewicz’s NHL rights. Brzustewicz leads OHL defencemen and is fourth overall in points with 69, including eight goals and 61 assists. Over his last 10 games, Brzustewicz has recorded one goal and nine assists going pointless in four of these games. In four games against Guelph this season, Brzustewicz has four assists.
Filip Mešár (Montreal Canadians) has played 25 games this season for the Rangers and has recorded 15 goals and 21 assists for 36 points. Mešár over his last 10 games has recorded 10 points (4G, 6A). Against Guelph this season the winger has played three games and has one goal and two assists.

Goaltending:

Jackson Parsons has played 34 games this season, his record is 18-12-1-0 with 3.01 goals against average and .898 save percentage. Parsons has played in all four games against Guelph this season.

SCOUTING THE STORM (25-17-2-1)

5^th in the Western Conference, 8^th in the OHL / 11^th in Week 17 of the OHL Power Rankings

Last Time Out:

The Guelph Storm travelled to face the Erie Otters on Thursday where they lost 3-0. The Storm had a total of 23 shots in the game. This is Guelph’s second straight loss after losing against Owen Sound on Sunday by a 7-1 score. The only Storm goal was scored by Zander Veccia assisted by Brody Crane and Max Namestnikov.

Storm to Watch:

Jett Luchanko, a 2024 NHL Draft prospect, is leading the Storm in points (51), assists (36), and power play assists (24). Luchanko has 11 points, four goals and seven assists, over his last ten games. Against Kitchener this season, Luchanko has registered two goals and three assists for five points.
Kitchener native, Braeden Bowman has the second most points for the Storm. He has recorded 25 goals and 24 assists for 49 points. With ten points (6G, 4A) over his last ten games. Against Kitchener this season, Bowman has scored four goals and three assists in four games.
Jake Karabela (Washington Capitals) has registered a 17-23-40 stat line so far this season. Before Thursday’s game, Karabela was on a seven-game point streak with two goals and six assists. Against the Rangers this season he has one goal and six assists for seven points.

Goaltender:

Brayden Gillespie has been the Storm’s starter playing in 37 games with a 19-15-1-1 record. Gillespie has the third-best goals-against average in the OHL at 2.97 and a .901 save percentage. Gillespie has started all four games against the Rangers this season but has been pushed out in three being replaced by Damian Slavik.

RANGERS REACH

Support our community while cheering on your Rangers! Rangers Reach 50/50 and game-worn jersey 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! Your 50/50 and jersey ticket purchases help to make a difference in our community! Tickets can be purchased online anywhere in Ontario at Rangers5050.com and rangersjersey.com.

BROADCAST COVERAGE

Friday’s game vs the Guelph Storm 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 night’s action on the radio on CityNews 570 AM CKGL.

UP NEXT:

The Rangers travel across the border to face the Erie Otters on Saturday. Puck drop is set for 7 pm at The Erie Insurance Arena. Kitchener begins their Eastern Ontario swing this next weekend, facing Kingston and Ottawa. The Rangers’ next home game is on Tuesday, February 13^th when they host Guelph once again. Great seats are still available, grab your tickets to the action 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]

Photo Credit: Tiffany Luke / Kitchener Rangers