Match-up preview: Rangers vs IceDogs
The Niagara IceDogs have been on a hot streak winning their last six straight. Sitting on top of the Central Division and Eastern Conference, the Dogs come to the Aud tonight ready to scrap for another two points.
The Kitchener Rangers are equally as feisty though. The Rangers are looking to get back in the win column after giving up their last three - against Owen Sound, London, and Peterborough.
"We've been focusing mostly on puck protection," commented assistant captain Jason Akeson when asked the theme of this week's practice. "Cycling the puck and moving from high-to-lows."
Akeson has been used to sharing the front lines with fellow assistant captain Gabriel Landeskog, along with Michael Catenacci - and the three have been producing significant numbers.
"I just think we have really good chemistry," said Akeson. "We have an easy time finding each other out there, and being really good friends off the ice has helped."
The point-producing line will be altered this week however, as Catenacci is out with an injury. Taking his place will be Andrew Crescenzi.
Defenceman Cody Sol will also be out due to injury.
Another key offensive threat the Rangers possess is found on the blueline. Ryan Murphy leads the team, and is fourth overall in the league, in points. In 10 games played he has seven goals and 11 assists for a total of 18 points - a pretty impressive feat for a defenceman. Many have already favoured Murphy to go in the top 10 for the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.
At the front of the pack for the Dogs are forwards Alex Friesen and Ryan Strome, who have both been performing well so far this season.
Standing behind them and between the pipes will be the IceDogs' goaltender Mark Visentin, the first round draft pick of the Phoenix Coyotes. Visentin returned to the line-up Thursday evening after missing five games due to injury. It was sophomore John Chartrand who took Visentin's place, and won all five of the games he started.
There was skepticism at the beginning of the season as to whether or not the Rangers' roster would fare without the likes of Jeff Skinner and Jeremy Morin, who combined for over 90 goals last season.
However the trio of Akeson, Landeskog and Tipoff have done a fine job in silencing the critics, along with a top class of rookies such as Tobias Rieder - a league leader in points, and Matia Marcantuoni, who only seems to be getting better with time. Meanwhile head coach Steve Spott has relentlessly assured fans that the players he has are league contenders in their own respect.
"There's always pressure, but it's a good thing," Akeson said. "[Wearing the A] always puts a little more on your shoulders, but I don't mind it - it pushes me that extra little bit."
