Match-up preview: Rangers vs Greyhounds
The Kitchener Rangers host the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds this evening as a wrap up to the first ever, Hockey Day in Rangers Nation. The goal of Hockey Day in Rangers Nation was to engage 10 year old, Major Atom House League hockey players from Waterloo Region and allow them the opportunity to participate in a Rangers "Game Day Experience". 14 teams, chosen through a lottery process took part in the day.
This is the second time Kitchener and the Sault will square off this season. In their last meeting, Mike Morrison faced Chris Perugini between the pipes en route to a 6-2 Rangers victory. Tyler Randell, Matt Tipoff, Zach Lorentz and Andrew Crescenzi each had multi-point nights.
“We had a lot of key guys out of our line-up,” commented Crescenzi following the win. “But guys stepped up and played a solid road game. It was our third game in three nights so we just kept our game simple, stuck to the game plan, and came out with a big win.”
Four games back from a lower body injury, Crescenzi is centering the Rangers’ second line between Randell and Ben Thomson. The 6-foot 5 and 208-pound Crescenzi has recorded at least one point in each contest since his return.
“I try to help my team win any way I can,” said Crescenzi. “It's been great to help chip in offensively the past few games. My line and I seem to be creating some chemistry, which has helped.”
The Rangers have a 22-point advantage over the Greyhounds in the Ontario Hockey League standings. The Rangers are 26-12-3-1, while the Greyhounds are 14-23-5-1.
With the Kitchener and Sault Ste. Marie match-up concluding the exclusive Rangers game day experience that several local Major Atom House League teams have had the chance to be a part of this afternoon. Fans can watch the centre ice video board during tonight's game fol highlights from earlier in the day.
The Rangers also hosted another community event this weekend. The annual “Season Ticket Holder Skate with the Rangers” was held on Saturday, and fans had a chance to meet their favourite players.
“Skating with the fans is always great,” commented team captain Gabriel Landeskog. “You get to meet the people that cheer you on every night and you get a chance to thank them for all the support.”
“It's great to give back to the community, especially to all the great Rangers fans.”
The Rangers were last in action on Friday claiming a 6-2 victory over the Oshawa Generals. Michael Catenacci and Matia Marcantuoni scored two goals a piece, and Randell and Tobias Rider each had one of their own. Ryan Murphy, Tipoff and Jason Akeson had a pair of helpers each in the game.
Catenacci and Marcantuoni were named the second and third stars, while netminder Brandon Maxwell turned aside 32 of 34 shots to earn first star honours.
Tonight Murphy will face his childhood friend and former teammate Daniel Catenacci, who leads the Greyhounds with 53 points. Catenacci and Murphy most recently met at the CHL Top Prospects game in Toronto, where Catenacci just barely edged Murphy - by a fraction of a second - in the fastest skater competition.
Nick Cousins is also among the top of the pack in points for the Sault. He has 17 goals - including his most recent against Kitchener - and 23 assists.
“I think it'll be an intense game,” said Crescenzi. “They want to get the two points back from last Sunday, and we have to keep winning to stay near the top of our division. So both teams should be playing great.”
