ROUND ONE, GAME FIVE PREVIEW: Kitchener Rangers vs. Erie Otters
Kitchener, ON – The Kitchener Rangers return to The Aud for game five against the Otters on Friday night after splitting games three and four on the road in Erie. The series is currently tied at two apiece. The puck will drop at 7 pm.
- TV: Rogers Channel 20 (Kitchener)
- Video Stream: OHL Live on CHL TV
- Radio: 570 AM CKGL
- Live Stats
- Live Tweets
- Game Preview Video
- East Avenue Blue Magazine
SCHEDULE
Game 5: Fri., April 5 at Kitchener, 7:00 PM
Game 6: Tues., April 9 at Erie, 7:00 PM
*Game 7: Wed., April 10 at Kitchener, 8:00 PM new dates
*If necessary
Kitchener Rangers Playoff Tickets:
Tickets for Game 5 are on sale now online here. Fans can also call 519-578-1570 or you can purchase tickets in person at The Aud Box Office Sponsored by White Way Plumbing located at 400 East Avenue in Kitchener. Click here for the Box Office full hours.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Game Four: Series Tied 2-2
The Rangers fell short on Thursday night with a final score of 5-3 in favour of Erie. Sam Alfano and Pano Fimis registered a goal and assist each while Brett Bressette, Alexis Daviault, and Martin Misiak (Chicago Blackhawks) had the Otters’ final three goals. Carson Rehkopf (Seattle Kraken), Filip Mešár (Montreal Canadiens), and Luke Ellinas grabbed the Rangers goals.
Game Three: Rangers Series Lead 2-1
In a remarkable comeback, the Rangers clinched game three by scoring four unanswered goals, forcing the game into extra minutes, and ultimately winning 4-3. Despite the Otters outshooting the Rangers 43 to 27, it was the Rangers who came out on top.
The Otters initially took the lead scoring three straight goals, from Sam Alfano, Kaleb Smith, and Dylan Edwards.
Adrian Misaljevic initiated the Rangers’ comeback with Luca Romano and Tanner Lam assisting, 2:45 into the second period. Antonio Pugliese narrowed the goal gap to one with assistance from Oliver Savard and Romano. At 8:56 into the third period, Justin Bottineau tied the game with Pugliese and Romano contributing to the play. In overtime, Bottineau secured the win with his second goal of the game on the Rangers’ first and only shot, with Pugliese and Cameron Reid providing the assists.
Game Two: Series Tied 1-1
Erie took game two at The Aud with a final score of 7-4. The Rangers took an early two-goal lead however, Erie stormed back, took the lead, and never trailed again to level the series at one game apiece. The Rangers hung around and battled back from behind twice before finally going down with 9:23 remaining in the game.
Carson Rehkopf (Seattle Kraken- 2G), Matheas Stark, and Matthew Sop netted the Rangers goals while Filip Mešár (Montreal Canadiens) registered another three-assist night. Eduard Šalé (Seattle Kraken) tallied two assists, Hunter Brzustewicz (Calgary Flames), and Tanner Lam each notched one. Pano Fimis (1G, 1A), Malcolm Spence (1G, 1A), Dylan Edwards (1G, 1A), Sam Alfano (2G, 1A), Kaleb Smith, and Carey Terrance scored the goals for Erie.
Game One: Rangers Series Lead 1-0
The Rangers won game one 6-3 on Friday night with five Rangers recording multi-point games. Luke Ellinas led the way for the Rangers scoring their first goal of the playoffs finishing the game with two goals and one assist for the first star. Matthew Sop, Eduard Šalé (Seattle Kraken), and Carson Rehkopf (Seattle Kraken) each netted one goal and one assist while Filip Mešár (Montreal Canadiens) had three assists. Dylan Edwards netted two goals for the Otters and Sam Alfano notched their third goal.
Playoff Statistics:
Kitchener
Overall Power Play: 6th in the OHL at 23.0%
Home Power Play: 6th in the OHL at 25.2%
Overall Penalty Kill: 4th in the OHL at 82.5%
Home Penalty Kill: 2nd in the OHL at 85.3%
Erie
Overall Power Play: 14th in the OHL at 20.6%
Away Power Play: 3rd in the OHL at 26.6%
Overall Penalty Kill: 17th in the OHL at 75.0%
Away Penalty Kill: 19th in the OHL at 69.6%
SCOUTING THE RANGERS (41-23-4-0) 86 points 68 GP
4th in the Western Conference, 5th in the OHL
Rangers’ Watch:
- Filip Mešár (Montreal Canadiens) leads the Rangers in points in the playoffs with one goal and six assists. Mešár registered his first goal of the playoffs on Thursday night. Additionally, the centreman has four power play assists and two five on five.
- Eduard Šalé (Seattle Kraken) follows behind Mešár with the second most points on the Rangers with one goal and five assists. Šalé has four power play assists and one game-winning goal in his first playoff run in the OHL. The Czechia native registered two assists in game four.
- Carson Rehkopf (Seattle Kraken) has grabbed four goals and one assist in the first four playoff games. Rehkopf has three power play goals and one first goal. In Rehkopf’s 25 career playoff games, he has a 10-7-17 stat line.
Goaltending:
Parsons:
Jackson Parsons saw 39 shots allowing four goals against to finish game four with a 4.06 goals-against average and a .897 save percentage. In four playoff games this season he has a 3.89 goals-against average and a .881 save percentage.
SCOUTING THE OTTERS (33-28-5-2) 73 points 68 GP
5th in the Western Conference, 11th in the OHL
Otters to Watch:
- Sam Alfano is tied for second in the league for points (7) and goals (5) in the 2024 playoffs so far. The winger has two first goals, one game-winning goal, and one power-play goal.
- 2006-born winger Malcolm Spence has recorded four points (1G, 3A) in his first four OHL playoff games. After playing in 66 games in the regular season he put up 19 goals and 43 assists for 62 points. Spence finished the season with the second most points on the Otters.
- Dylan Edwards has registered at least one point in each of the four games in the series. Through these four games, Edwards has four goals and two assists for six points. Edwards has one power play goal and one insurance goal.
Goaltending:
Gaudreau:
Ben Gaudreau suited up in his second playoff game on Thursday night with the Rangers putting 33 shots on him. Gaudreau allowed three to finish the game with a .909 save percentage and a 3.00 goals-against average. Through Gaudreau’s 24 career playoff games, he has a 2.61 goals against average and a .907 save percentage.
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 raffle purchases help to make a difference in our community! Also, watch for our added 50/50 Playoff Bonus Jackpot that will run throughout the Rangers playoff run. You’ll be able to add this special Jackpot ticket to your regular 50/50 purchase. Tickets can be purchased online anywhere in Ontario at Rangers5050.com and rangersjersey.com.
BROADCAST COVERAGE
Friday’s game vs the Erie Otters 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 will go back to Erie for game six against the Otters on Tuesday, April 9th which could potentially be the series deciding game. Puck drop is set for 7 pm at The Erie Insurance Arena. Make sure you secure your seats and grab your tickets 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
