September 3, 2023 – Ontario Hockey League (OHL) – Kitchener Rangers News Release
Kitchener Rangers’ Adrian Misaljevic on the ice
(Kitchener Rangers)
Kitchener, Ont – Matthew Sop led the team with a three-point game, in a 5-3 victory over the Oshawa Generals in front of an impressive 2,275 fans in their first pre-season game at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium.
After a few good chances, including a Matthew Sop breakaway, Kitchener found the score sheet by 2023 second-round pick, Tanner Lam, who put it in on a slot pass from Cameron Reid. Simon Motew was also credited with a secondary assist. The Rangers’ powerplay struck 11 seconds in at 16:42, Trent Swick buried a rebound off Vancouver Canucks 2023 third-round draft pick, Hunter Brzustewicz’s slap shot from the point after a pass from Sop. The Generals quickly answered, scoring 56 seconds later in close on Jackson Parsons. The goal was scored by Ethan Toms and was assisted by Tristan Delisle and Matthew Buckley. Entering the second period the shots on goal were 11-5 in favour of Kitchener, and the Rangers led 2-1.
The second period was filled with action as both teams traded opportunities, however, the Oshawa goaltending tandem hung on tight. Oshawa swapped goalies nine minutes into the second period when Noah Bender came into the game. Oster left the game making 16 of 18 saves. Oshawa cracked Parsons on a 2-on-0. The Generals executed on a passing play that was buried by Tyler Graham assisted by Nikita Tarasevich at 15:30. Oshawa’s third unanswered goal came at 18:44 on a slot shot by Beckett Sennecke and was assisted by Luke Torrance and Ben Danford. Shots after 40 minutes of play were 23-14 Kitchener, and the score entering the third period was 3-2 Oshawa.
Kitchener came out strong to start the third period scoring three goals in just over two minutes. Adrian Misaljevic initiated the scoring 25 seconds in on a one-time snapshot. Seattle Kraken’s 2023 second-round draft pick, Carson Rehkopf set him up and the secondary assist was awarded to Trent Swick, his second point of the night. Mitchell Martin scored at 1:39 during a scrum in front of the net from a Sop assist. Sop then continued this strong shift scoring the Rangers’ third unanswered goal of the period at 2:08 on a backhand crossing the crease. This would tally Sop’s third point of the game. Luca Romano and Cameron Reid were rewarded with assists. Jackson Parsons shut the door in the third period and finished the game making 18 of 21 saves. The Rangers ended their first preseason game with a 5-3 win and an advantage in shots 33-21.
The Rangers went 1/3 on the powerplay and 4/4 on the penalty kill. The first star of the game was Matthew Sop with one goal and two assists, the second star was Cameron Reid with two assists and the third star was Beckett Sennecke with a goal for the Oshawa Generals.
Up next, Kitchener faces the Brantford Bulldogs at the Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre on Wednesday, September 6th at 7 p.m. The Rangers next home game is on Friday, September 8th, puck drop is also at 7 p.m.
Images from this story
• 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.
