Match-up preview: Kitchener Rangers vs Guelph Storm
This evening the Rangers host the 16th annual Teddy Bear Charity Game in support of Cystic Fibrosis and other charitable organizations. The event, presented by local Zehrs stores, set a record last year when 6,831 bears were thrown.
“It’s a fun night for the kids with the teddy bears,” commented Rangers’ forward Andrew Crescenzi.
Over the last 15 years, Rangers nation has collected 68,043 bears for our community. Fans are encouraged to throw their bears on the ice surface after the first goal of the game is scored – the last two years Jason Akeson has been responsible for the “teddy bear goal”.
Akeson is still a league leader in points with 12 goals and 36 assists for a total of 48 points – good for second overall. The Guelph Storm visit The Aud with an 11-12-3-1 record, while the Rangers are 17-7-1-1. Kitchener took two tough losses over the weekend – losing 2-1 to the Erie Otters in a shootout on Friday, and 3-1 to the Niagara Ice Dogs.
“We had opportunities, but we didn’t capitalize on them,” said Crezcenzi, who was also named an Academic Player of the Month. Crescenzi, a Toronto Maple Leafs prospect, has maintained an A average in his part-time business classes at Wilfrid Laurier University.
The Storm halted the top team in the country – the Mississauga St. Mike’s Majors – on Sunday upsetting the Memorial Cup hosts and ending their 10-game winning streak. Prior to that Guelph was on a seven-game losing skid.
Forward Micheal Latta, who is leading the team with 35 points, potted a hat trick for Guelph in the win.
A new addition to the Rangers’ line-up is a former Major himself, Ryan Lopes, recently acquired from the Sudbury Wolves. The 5-foot-10, 181-pound centreman adds depth to the Ranger roster.
“I try to make that big hit and open up a scoring chance when I can,” said Lopes. The Brampton native is a forward shift, energy player who is strong on the penalty kill – a special teams unit Kitchener has been struggling with. “The atmosphere is amazing here,” he commented after playing his first game at The Aud. “It’s a great experience playing for a team in a community like this.”
Lopes was picked up in exchange for an 8th round pick in the 2012 OHL Priority Selection.
Looking forward to the remainder of the week, the Rangers have a home-and-home with the Owen Sound Attack – the top team in the Midwest Division, and a competitor for the top spot in the Western Conference. Friday’s game is here at home at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday in Owen Sound at 2:00 p.m.
