Match-up preview: Rangers vs Greyhounds
The Kitchener Rangers took two points from the Plymouth Whalers in an exciting match-up at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium on Friday evening. Left winger Jerry D'Amigo made his debut with the team in front of 6, 433 fans, and did not disappoint.
D'Amigo recorded two points (a goal and an assist) and finished the game + 1. His powerplay feed to Matt Tipoff to tie the game, left fans in awe of his offensive abilities. The former Toronto Marlie played alongside Gabriel Landeskog and Jason Akeson on the Rangers' first line, and the trio combined for four points in the game.
“It's been an easy transition to come in here and play with these guys,” said D'Amigo. “[Landeskog and Akeson] are two talented players and two big leadership figures.”
Tipoff's two points and +3 rating earned him first star of the game, while Tobias Rieder was recognized as the third star with two points and a +1 rating. Mike Morrison turned aside 26 of 29 shots to secure the win for Kitchener.
Kitchener's number one netminder Brandon Maxwell, spent two years with D'Amigo at the USA U-18 Development Program, and D'Amigo admitted it was nice to see a familiar face here in Kitchener.
“For sure it made it easier for me to know him coming in here,” he said.
D'Amigo most recently represented the U.S. at the World Junior Championships in Buffalo, New York where his team won the bronze medal over Landeskog and Team Sweden.
“Everyone who steps on the ice there is trying to prove themselves,” said D'Amigo of the competition. “Nothing is easy and you can't take anything for granted.”
Tonight's opponent - the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds - have lost their last four match-ups, including their most recent loss to the Erie Otters. Vern Cooper, Brett Findlay, and David Quesnele each scored for the Soo, but the Otters came out on top by a final score of 5-3.
Daniel Catenacci is averaging a point a game for the Greyhounds. In 50 games he has tallied 54 points (21 goals, 33 assists). He is one of three for the Soo to do so - Cooper and Brett Thompson being the others.
The Rangers have five players averaging over a point a game on their roster - Akeson, Landeskog, Tipoff, Michael Catenacci, and Ryan Murphy. Murphy recently exceeded an OHL milestone when he recorded his 100th career point.
The Rangers have two more games at The Aud to finish off their four-game homestand. The team hosts Guelph on Tuesday, while the Sarnia Sting are in town next Friday.
“It’s a lot of fun here at The Aud," said D'Amigo. “To just sit there and listen to what the fans are shouting and how loud they cheer, it's really cool.”
