WHALERS TAKE DOWN RANGERS 4-2
Nick Magyar scored his 17th goal of the season in the Kitchener Rangers’ 4-2 loss to the Plymouth Whalers on Tuesday night. Brent Pedersen also scored for the Rangers in the loss.
The Whalers jumped out to an early 1-0 lead, scoring four minutes into the first period. Carter Sandlak chipped the puck off the blocker-side pad of Jordan DeKort and into the back of the net. The overage forward’s team-leading 24th goal of the season was assisted by Ryan Hartman and Waterloo native Zach Lorentz.
Plymouth took advantage of a power play opportunity to extend their lead to two goals. Sandlak’s pass from the boards found import forward Victor Crus Rydberg in front of the Rangers net. He lifted a shot over DeKort to record his 10th of the season.
The goal prompted a Rangers goaltending change as Matthew Greenfield was sent to the crease in relief of DeKort.
Each team fired ten shots on goal in the opening 20 minutes of play.
With the teams playing four-on-four just past the midway point of the second period, the Rangers cut Plymouth’s lead in half. Whalers starter Alex Nedeljkovic made two saves on Ryan MacInnis and Brent Pederse, but the Carolina Hurricanes prospect pitched his second shot past the netminder, recording his 14th goal of the season. Defenceman Dmitrii Sergeev picked up a helper on the play, his fifth point in six games.
Kitchener led shots on goal 12-6 in the middle frame.
Nick Magyar pulled the Rangers even at 2-2 early in the first period, rattling a shot off the post and over the goal line. The rookie’s 17th of the season was assisted by fellow freshman Doug Blaisdell.
Less than two minutes later, Plymouth responded with a goal by Lorentz to regain the lead. Hartman and Gianluca Curcuruto were credited with helpers on the former Rangers’ 24th of the year.
Cullen Mercer re-established the Whalers’ two-goal cushion with 12:35 to play, pitching a shot between the pads of Greenfield. The rookie’s fourth career goal was assisted by Cucuruto and Crus Rydberg, the second point of the night for both skaters.
The Rangers led shots on goal 15-5 in the third period and finished with a 37-21 overall advantage.
The Whalers win the four game season series 3-1 and lead the Rangers by seven points in the chase for the eighth and final playoff spot.
Scoring
1. PLY C. Sandlak, (24) (R. Hartman, Z. Lorentz), 4:04
1. PLY V. Crus Rydberg, (10)(C. Sandlak), 13:56 (PP)
2. KIT B. Pedersen, (14) (R. MacInnis, D. Sergeev), 12:10
3. KIT N. Magyar, (17) (D. Blaisdell), 2:04
3. PLY Z. Lorentz (24), (R. Hartman, G. Curcuruto), 3:52
3. PLY C. Mercer, (4) (G. Cucuruto, V. Crus Rydberg), 7:25
Attendance: 7076
Three Stars
1. PLY – 9 Zach Lorentz
2. KIT – 20 Nick Magyar
3. PLY – 25 Carter Sandlak
The Rangers hit the road on Friday, February 28 for a 7:11 meetings with the Saginaw Spirit. They return home to welcome the Guelph Storm to the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium on Tuesday, March 4 at 7:00pm. Tickets to Rangers home games are available by phone at 519-578-1570 or 1-800-265-8977, via the internet at www.centre-square.com or in person at the Centre In the Square Box Office or the Kitchener Auditorium Box Office.
