ROUND TWO, GAME THREE PREVIEW: Kitchener Rangers vs. London Knights
Kitchener, ON – Down 2-0 in the best-of-seven series, the Rangers return home to The Aud for games three and four in Kitchener. The Blueshirts will face the London Knights on home ice this Tuesday and Thursday 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 3: Tuesday, April 16 at Kitchener, 7:00 PM
Game 4: Thursday, April 18 at Kitchener, 7:00 PM
* Game 5: Friday, April 19 at London, 7:00 PM
* Game 6: Sunday, April 21 at Kitchener, 2:00 PM
* Game 7: Tuesday, April 23 at London, 7:00 PM
* If necessary, will be played
Kitchener Rangers Playoff Tickets:
Tickets for Game 3, and 4 are on sale now; you can purchase your seats 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.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Game Two:
The London Knights closed game two with a 5-1 win. Knights’ goals were scored by Kasper Halttunen (San Jose Sharks- 1G, 2A), Kaleb Lawrence (Los Angeles Kings- 1G, 1A), Jackson Edwards (Boston Bruins- 1G, 1A), Henry Brzustewicz, and Jacob Julien (Winnipeg Jets). Carson Rehkopf (Seattle Kraken) notched the Rangers only goal, assisted by Eduard Šalé (Seattle Kraken) and Filip Mešár (Montreal Canadiens). The Rangers recorded 24 shots, while the Knights edged ahead with 25.
Game One:
In a back-and-forth game, the London Knights finished on top with a final score of 5-3. Luke Ellinas, Eduard Šalé (Seattle Kraken- 1G, 1A), and Hunter Brzustewicz (Calgary Flames- 1G, 2A) scored the goals for the Rangers, while Cameron Reid tallied an assist and Filip Mešár (Montreal Canadiens) contributed two assists. Kaleb Lawrence (Los Angeles Kings) and Max McCue (Columbus Blue Jackets) each recorded a goal and assist for the Knights. Isaiah George (New York Islanders) and Oliver Bonk (Philadelphia Flyers) found the back of the net, while Denver Barkey (Philadelphia Flyers) also scored. Jacob Julien (Winnipeg Jets) and Jackson Edwards (Boston Bruins) providing two assists each. Easton Cowan (Toronto Maple Leafs) extended his point streak to 41 straight games with an assist.
Playoff Statistics:
Kitchener
Overall Power Play: 8th in the OHL at 24.1%
Home Power Play: 2nd in the OHL at 33.3%
Overall Penalty Kill: 4th in the OHL at 84.4%
Home Penalty Kill: 4th in the OHL at 90%
London
Overall Power Play: 7th in the OHL at 25%
Away Power Play: 15th in the OHL at 0%
Overall Penalty Kill: 1st in the OHL at 88.0%
Away Penalty Kill: 1st in the OHL at 100%
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 and is tied for first in the league in points in the playoff with one goal and 12 assists for 13 points. Mešár has the most assists in the league and is in a three-way tie for the most power play assists at five. He is on a five-game point streak with a 1-6-7 stat line through these games.
- Carson Rehkopf (Seattle Kraken) is tied with Luke Ellinas for the third most points on the team with a 5-3-8 stat line. Rehkopf has three power play goals, one first goal, and one power play assist. Rehkopf has registered a point in six of the eight games this playoff run. The Seattle Kraken prospect has played 29 OHL Playoff games registering 11 goals and 20 points over these games.
- Hunter Brzustewicz (Calgary Flames) faces off against his brother Henry in the round two series matchup. The defenceman is holding down the Rangers’ defensive line and is tied for third in defencemen scoring in the OHL with seven points (1G, 6A). In the opening game of the second round, Brzustewicz grabbed the game’s second star after a one goal and two assists performance.
Goaltending:
Jackson Parsons:
Jackson Parsons has played all eight playoff games this season going 4-4-0-0. He has a 3.58 goals against average and a .882 save percentage. On Saturday, Parsons was faced with 25 shots and allowed five goals. Having played 13 playoff games over two seasons, Parsons has a 3.40 goals against average and a .901 save percentage during that time.
SCOUTING THE KNIGHTS (50-14-1-3) 104 points 68 GP
1st in the Western Conference, 1st in the OHL
Knights to Watch:
- Kaleb Lawrence (Los Angeles Kings) is tied for first on the Knights in points in the playoffs in his overage season with five goals and three assists for eight points in six games. Lawrence has one game-winning goal, one insurance goal, two first goals, and one power play assist. In both games of the second round, Lawrence registered a goal and an assist in each.
- Finland native Kasper Halttunen (San Jose Sharks) is playing in his first OHL Playoff season and has four goals and seven points. Halttunen has one power play goal, power play assist, game-winning goal, and first goal. Halttunen was drafted by the San Jose Sharks in the second round, 36th overall in the 2023 NHL Draft, then signed on July 12th.
- Oliver Bonk (Philadelphia Flyers) has recorded two goals and two assists so far in the 2024 playoffs with only one of those points being against the Rangers. Both of Bonk’s goals ended up as game-winners and both assists were on the man advantage. The defenceman has played 34 OHL playoff games recording three goals and 13 assists during that run.
Goaltending:
Michael Simpson:
Michael Simpson has now played six playoff games this season having a perfect 6-0 record, a 2.18 goals against average (3rd in the OHL), and a .918 save percentage (4th in the OHL). In game two, Simpson was faced with 24 shots, and he allowed one goal.
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
Tuesday’s game vs the London Knights 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 Tuesday night’s action on the radio on CityNews 570 AM CKGL.
UP NEXT:
Game four in round two is set for Thursday night at The Aud. Puck drop is set for 7 pm. Great seats are still available, grab them before they go 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