Match-up preview: Kitchener Rangers vs London Knights
The Kitchener Rangers will proudly wear their commemorative Remembrance Day Jerseys in today’s game versus the visiting London Knights. In the past five years, the auctions have raised more than $136,000 in support of the KW Poppy Fund and Veteran Support Programs.
Kitchener is currently on a three-game winning streak, and with an offensive prowl - scoring a combined total of 19 goals against Sudbury, London, and Belleville.
This is Kitchener’s fourth match-up against their long-time rivals, the London Knights. They will meet up two more times during the regular season. The Rangers are up 2-1 in the series after completely dominating the Knights this week in London, resulting in an 8-2 final. Last month, the blueshirts earned a 3-2 win, but were also handed a 4-2 loss to the squad.
In their last three games, the dominant top line for the Rangers has been the pairing of Jason Akeson, Michael Catenacci, and Gabriel Landeskog.
Contributing four goals and eight assists with a +7 in the three games, Akeson is second in OHL in scoring. He has a total of 30 points in 16 games.
Landeskog has had four goals, three assists, and +7 over the course of the three-game winning streak; while centre-man Catenacci has one goal, three assists, and a +6.
In specialty units, Kitchener continues to have the best power play in the league, but remain in dead last for their power killing abilities. London on the other hand is stronger in their penalty killing, but last in the league on the power play.
Defenceman Jonathan Jasper has really stepped up for the Rangers on the blue line. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound Jasper has had a +7 rating the last three games with a single assist, and even netted his first goal of the season in London. The London Knights are coming off of a two-game losing skid including their most recent 4-3 shootout loss to the Ottawa 67’s.
Knights forward Vladislav Namestnikov leads his team in scoring with six goals and 15 assists for 21 points. The 6-foot Russian import will suit up for his country in the Canada-Russia Super Series beginning next week.
In today’s game however, don’t be surprised if head coach Dale Hunter, last year’s OHL Coach of the Year, opts to give Namestnikov a little less ice time to rest up. The once 170-pound 18-year old has slimmed down to 162-pounds in just over two months.
The 2010 Subway Super Series featuring Team Canada versus Team Russia will showcase some of the best talent in the OHL, and is the crucial mid-season tournament for scouting World Junior prospects.
Knights defenceman Scott Harrington, along with forward Michael MacDonald will also play for Team OHL. For the Rangers, defenceman Ryan Murphy will suit up for the elite squad.
Overall in standings the Rangers are second in the Midwest Division, while the Knights are one game back and third in the division. The Rangers are 11-5-0-0, while the Knights are 9-4-1-1.
The Rangers and Knights will continue their rivalry in today’s commemorative match-up. The Rangers Remembrance Day Jerseys, paying tribute to the Royal Highland Fusiliers of Canada, will be the sixth annual special edition set up for bid. Fans may place their bids in the silent auction until 15 minutes after the game ends.
