Game Preview: Storm visit Rangers in mid-week match-up

The Guelph Storm travel down Highway Seven on Tuesday to visit their Midwest Division rival in the Kitchener Rangers for a mid-week match-up. 

Steph Coratti, GuelphStorm.com —

Following a bold effort against the London Knights this past Sunday, the Guelph Storm will look to build off of the display heading into another Midwest Division match-up in Kitchener on Tuesday. 

The Storm, currently on an 11-game skid, will be pushing for an upset over the second best team in the OHL, as the Rangers boast a 21-3-3-0 record through 27 games this season.

The Rangers carry a three-game win streak into Tuesday’s meeting, the third of eight match-ups with the Storm this campaign.

Game time is scheduled for 7:00pm. 

Player Watch

• Guelph Storm

After registering just one point through his first 16 games in the OHL, rookie Isaac Ratcliffe now has six points in his last six games. Starting the point streak against the Rangers last on Oct. 21 with an assist, the six-foot-four, 192-pound forward has since notched two goals and four assists in the stretch. The London, Ontario native has also noticeably become more comfortable, gaining responsibility in almost every game situation as of late. 

Looking to sophomore James McEwan, the five-foot-eleven, 190-pound forward leads the Storm roster in goals scored with 10, and is coming off two goals in his last two games played after being held out of the goal column for five contests. In 27 games this season, the Chatham, Ontario native has 15 points, already surpassing his rookie point total of 10 compiled in 45 games in 2014-15. 

Recently acquired Jacob Harris has also been one to note as of late, pocketing his first two goals as a member of the Storm in his last two games played. Prior to suiting up for Guelph in the last five games, the overager recorded 10 points (five goals, five assists) in 24 games with the Sudbury Wolves – the team the Georgetown, Ontatio native spent his first four OHL seasons with. In total, the six-foot, 198-pound forward has 106 points (48 goals, 58 assists) in 240 career games. 

• Kitchener Rangers

Ryan MacInnis leads Kitchener’s roster offensively, compiling 38 points (19 goals, 19 assists) through 26 games this season, remaining as the lone representative for the Rangers in the OHL’s Top 20 scoring race. Heading into Tuesday’s match-up with the Storm, the Arizona Coyotes prospect takes a 10-game point streak dating back to Nov. 10 against the Sarnia Sting. In that stretch, the six-foot-four, 191-pound forward has tallied for seven goals and eight assists. 

Adam Mascherin isn’t too far behind in the Rangers-team scoring race, registering 31 points (14 goals, 17 assists) in 24 games. In his second OHL season, the 1998-born, Maple, Ontario native has already surpassed his rookie total of 29 points (12 goals, 17 assists) recorded in 62 games last campaign. Most recently, the five-foot-nine, 199-pound forward has three goals and two assists in his last two games played. 

Jeremy Bracco is also an obvious notable in blue, compiling 18 points (five goals, 13 assists) through 15 games – averaging out to 1.20-point(s)-per-game. A prospect of the Toronto Maple Leafs, the five-foot-ten, 175-pound forward has had some luck against the Storm this season, registering three goals for four points in two match-ups. 

The Opponent: Kitchener Rangers (21-3-3-0, 45 points)

The Kitchener Rangers, currently standing second overall in the Ontario Hockey League, have lost two out of their last 10 games played. With that, both of those losses have come at the hands of the only team ranked higher – the Erie Otters – falling 5-2 (Nov. 15) and 3-2 (Nov. 26).

Since the loss on Nov. 26, the Rangers have strung together a three-game win streak, downing the Barrie Colts 3-1 on Nov. 27, followed by a 5-4 win over the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds two days later, only to drop the Ottawa 67’s with a 5-1 result the next week on Dec. 4. 

Overall, the Rangers hold a .833 win percentage with six losses to their name – and only half of those coming in regulation.

Despite the success so far this campaign, Kitchener has one representative in the OHL’s Top 20 scoring race (that of Ryan MacInnis) – a clear testament to their overall depth and team display.

Looking to special teams, the Storm – who, this past weekend, gave up a series of penalties in both Friday and Sunday’s match-ups that ultimately led to tough losses – will need to stay disciplined as the Rangers boast a third overall power play ranking, registering 22 goals for on 85 opportunities (25.9 PP%). 

Season Series: Kitchener 3, Guelph 0

• Oct. 18: Kitchener 2 @ Guelph 0

• Nov. 1: Guelph 3 @ Kitchener 5

• Nov. 21: Kitchener 5 @ Guelph 1 (Last match-up) 

GAME NOTES 

• The Storm and the Rangers meet for the fourth of eight times this season on Tuesday.

• Kitchener leads the season series 3-0. 

• James McEwan and recently acquired Jacob Harris each have two goals in their last two games played.

• Rookie Isaac Ratcliffe takes a six-game point streak (two goals, four assists) into Tuesday’s contest. 

• The Storm are back home on Friday hosting the Saginaw Spirit. The game also features Emma’s Toy Drive. Get your tickets HERE.