March 18, 2023 – Ontario Hockey League (OHL) – Kitchener Rangers News Release
Owen Sound, Ont. – Kitchener’s third line of Mislajevic-Rehkopf-Swick were in the spotlight Saturday night as the line combined for both goals in regulation for the Rangers. Adrian Misaljevic and Trent Swick both scored an equalizing goal to help force the extra frame. Kitchener-native Matthew Sop scored the overtime winner for his 22nd goal of the season to earn the 3-2 victory. Marco Costantini was great on the night starting in back-to-back games and stopping 40-of-42 shots he faced. The Rangers are now 7-2-1-0 in their last 10 games.
Both teams played a stingy first period with neither team giving up many chances. However, with 43 seconds remaining on the clock, Owen Sound found themselves on a 2-on-1 odd-man rush. Ben Cormier kept the puck but fanned on the shot which fooled Marco Costantini and beat him through the legs. Owen Sound led 1-0 after the opening 20 minutes and shots favoured the Attack 9-8.
Six minutes into the second period, a loose puck bounced to the side of the goal and Adrian Misaljevic, who has been scoring some big goals for Kitchener since he returned from injury, was there to bank the puck off Corbin Votary and in to tie the game at 1-1.
Marco Costantini was called into action after the Kitchener goal as Ethan Burroughs was sprung out of the penalty box for a breakaway. His attempt was stopped, and the follow-up was gloved down by Costantini. On the same power-play, Owen Sound got another breakaway and this time Cedrick Guindon (Montréal Canadiens) made no mistake lifting the puck over the extended pad of Costantini.
The second period ended the same as the first with Owen Sound up by a goal, this time at 2-1 scoreline. Shots still favoured the Attack 25-19.
The third line of the Kitchener Rangers came up big again as they scored the lone goal, 2:11 into the third period. Adrain Misaljevic earned his second point of the game after he centered a pass into the slot to Carson Rehkopf. Rehkopf’s shot was stopped, but Trent Swick, who was playing in his second game back after a 27-game absence, was on the doorstep to put the puck home.
For back-to-back nights, Kitchener needed the overtime period to settle the score. After 60 minutes of play, the score was tied a 2-2 and shots favoured the Attack 41-25.
Just like Owen Sound did to Kitchener on Feb. 24, the Rangers stole the extra point from the Attack on the road and secure the overtime victory. Filip Mešár (Montréal Canadiens) made a nice play to create space in the slot and found Matthew Sop to win it for Kitchener.
The final score ended 3-2 for the Rangers and final shots favoured the Attack 42-27. Kitchener finished the game 0-for-1 on the power-play and 1-for-1 on the penalty kill. Marco Costantini earned the game’s first star with a 40-save performance, making timely saves at key moments for the Rangers and Adrian Misaljevic earned the game’s third star with a goal and an assist, recording his second multi-point game of the season.
Next Up:
The Rangers are back on home ice Sunday against the Kingston Frontenacs at 2 p.m. Sunday’s game is presented by Tim Horton’s and is the Rangers’ Alumni Recognition and 2000’s Retro Game. Fans are encouraged to wear their best 2000’s and 2010’s look as we honour our history from the past two decades! There will be over 60 Rangers’ alumni in attendance from the Rangers’ 60 years in Kitchener. The Blueshirts are also honouring Dave Schneider for his past 25 seasons as the public address announcer of the Rangers. The Rangers are also debuting special throwback jerseys Sunday that the team will wear for the last two remaining home games.
• Discuss this story on the Ontario Hockey League message board…
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
report this ad
