Whalers Outlast Rangers, Take 2-1 Series Lead
The Plymouth Whalers held on to a 4-3 win over the Kitchener Rangers on Tuesday night. Alex Aleardi scored the game-winning goal for Plymouth, while Rickard Rakell contributed three assists. Michael Catenacci recorded a hat trick for the Rangers in the loss, with three helpers from Tobias Rieder. With the victory, Plymouth takes a 2-1 lead in the best-of seven Western Conference semi-final series.
Michael Catenacci opened the scoring for the Rangers, capitalizing on a man-advantage midway through the first period. The captain was in front of the net to re-direct Ryan Murphy’s shot from the wing over Plymouth keeper Scott Wedgewood. His third of the playoffs was also assisted by team scoring leader Tobias Rieder.
The Whalers out-shot Rangers 15-9 through the opening 20 minutes of play.
The captain extended his squad’s lead to two goals with his second of game early in the middle frame. Catenacci moved in from the wing, cut across the front of the net and slid it in the open side, past Wedgewood. Rieder collected his second point of the night with an assist, while Ben Thomson’s helper brought his playoff points total to five, a career-high for the veteran power forward.
The Rangers led shots on goal 14-10 in the second period.
Plymouth cut the lead in half early in the third period. Just 1:10 into the frame, Tom Wilson threw a long shot on net that slid through the five-hole of Rangers netminder John Gibson. The winger’s fourth of the playoffs was assisted by Rickard Rakell and Austin Levi.
With less than seven minutes to play the Whalers evened the score at 2-2. Rakell set up Levi’s shot from the point, which bounced by Gibson, giving the veteran defenseman his first of the postseason.
Plymouth took its first lead of the contest just over a minute later, when Dario Trutmann’s one-timer found the back of the net. His second of the playoffs was assisted by Wilson and Rakell, who picked up his third helper of the night.
The Whalers continued to press and with less than two to play, Mitchell Heard dug out a rebound from the side of the net and fed it to Alex Aleardi in front. His backhand shot beat Gibson and brought his postseason total to five goals.
Kitchener closed the gap to 4-3 with 32 seconds to play as Catenacci completed the hat trick. Wedgewood blocked one shot, but could not locate the puck, allowing the overage centre to tap it in for his fifth of the postseason. Catenacci leads all OHL scorers with 19 points in the playoffs. The assists were credited to Murphy and Rieder.
Plymouth held a 16-7 lead in shots on goal in the third period and finished with a 40-31 overall advantage. Wedgewood made 27 saves in his sixth postseason win.
The Whalers take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series, which returns to the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium on Wednesday, April 11. Scheduling and ticketing information can be found here.
Scoring
1. KIT M. Catenacci, (3) (R, Murphy, T. Rieder), 10:28 (PP)
2. KIT M. Catenacci, (4) (T. Rieder, B. Thomson), 4:13
3. PLY T. Wilson, (4) (R. Rakell, A. Levi), 1:10
3. PLY A. Levi, (1) (R. Rakell), 13:28
3. PLY D. Trutmann, (2) (T. Wilson, R. Rakell), 14:49
3. PLY A. Aleardi, (5) (M. Heard), 18:01
3. KIT M. Catenacci, (5) (R. Murphy, T. Rieder), 19:28
Three Stars
1. PLY – 7 Austin Levi
2. PLY – 24 Rickard Rakell
3. KIT – 10 Michael Cateancci
Attendance: 1,819
Tickets for Home Game F (Round 2, Home Game 2) are now on sale.
Tickets may be purchase 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
Wednesday, April 11: 10:00am – 8:00pm
The Centre in the Square Box Office Hours
Wednesday, April 11: 10:00am – 8:00pm
Ticket Pricing:
Adults (ages 13 and up) $23.25
Children (ages 3-12) $19.50
Please note that there are no refunds or exchanges on playoff ticket purchases.
