Kitchener Rangers get back in the win column
Posted Feb 20, 2016 07:36:14 AM.
Last Updated Mar 2, 2016 11:46:15 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Ryan MacInnis scored his first hat trick of the season, and Luke Opilka made 20 saves to earn his third career Ontario Hockey League shutout as the Kitchener Rangers defeated the visiting Oshawa Generals 5-0.
The goals were the 30th, 31st and 32nd of the season for MacInnis who, along with 69 points, now leads the club in goals scored. It was the first Rangers hat trick this season since Connor Bunnaman’s Teddy Bear Night hat trick back on December 8th.
Luke Opilka didn’t see much action on the night but was impressive when needed en route to his third OHL shutout. His 20 saves propelled him to 26-7-3-0 on the season.
Brandon Robinson (1G,1A), Miles Liberati (2A) and Adam Mascherin (2A) each had two point nights for the Rangers, and associate coach Jay McKee said their entire team showed a much improved effort than they’d shown in recent games.
“I think Ryan [MacInnis] was shooting like his old man tonight,” said McKee, on MacInnis’ hat trick and taking shots from the point.” Said McKee.
After a scoreless first period, MacInnis registered his 30th goal of the season on the power play, assisted by Robinson and Liberati, at 11:38.
At 15:29 of the period it was MacInnis who struck again with his second of the game, this time from Joseph Garreffa and Mascherin, giving the Rangers a 2-0 lead.
Just 1:25 later Darby Llewellyn tipped in a David Miller shot to give the Rangers a three goal lead, with the second assist going to Nick Magyar at 16:54. After being outshot 9-8 in the first period, the Rangers would outshoot the Generals 23-6 in the second for a two period total of 31-15.
MacInnis would complete the hat trick with his third goal of the game at 6:24, assisted by Liberati and Mascherin, to put the Rangers up 4-0, also on the power play.
With just three seconds remaining, Robinson would score the Rangers’ third power play goal of the night with former Rangers forward Sean Allen in the box for hooking, assisted by Jacob Cascagnette and Dylan Di Perna, to seal the 5-0 victory.
The Rangers round out the weekend when they travel to Erie to face the Otters on Sunday, February 21st for a 5pm puck drop.
