Knights get nine power plays and pick up 2-0 series lead
Posted Apr 15, 2023 06:17:38 AM.
Last Updated Apr 15, 2023 06:21:55 AM.
The Kitchener Rangers General Manager was flabbergasted.
“I don’t even know what to say at this point. I can’t come up with words right now,” said Mike McKenzie.
That’s what happens when, over two games, the opposition has had 13 power-plays and your team only had the man-advantage five times.
“We talked about it before the series. We know it’s going to happen,” said McKenzie of the lopsided power-plays, in favour of the London Knights.
The Knights went 2-for-9 Friday, and smacked the Blueshirts 8-4. Kitchener has only had five power-plays in the series.
Unfortunately, in a second-round playoff match-up between two of the most storied organizations in the Canadian Hockey League, the talk, again, is about the league’s officiating.
To put in perspective, the Rangers had 10 power-plays in their first round series against the Windsor Spitfires.
“I watch a lot of hockey around the league and it’s clear when there are younger guys behind a bench and guys who have been around a long time behind another bench there’s a fear factor there in terms of making calls and stuff like that, and a respect factor,” said McKenzie. “That’s just the way the league is. We’re going to have to deal with it.”
Sure, the officiating impacted the game, but it wasn’t the only thing. The Rangers came out slow, while the Knights came out with a purpose.
The Green Machine scored in the first minute, and added two more before the first period was over.
Rangers goalie Marco Costantini started on back-to-back days for just the third time this season. He was pulled in the second, after giving up five goals on 19 shots.
It was a much different Rangers team in the third period, which was mostly both teams trying to set the tone, physically, for Game 3 Sunday.
All-in-all, it was a disappointing start to the series on the road for the Rangers. But, the third period was certainly a trailer of what to expect in Game 3 when the series shifts to The Aud.
Kitchener will get its captain back in the line-up. Francesco Pinelli served his final game of a three-game suspension he picked up just 2:20 into Game 3 against Windsor.
The pregame show begins at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, with puck-drop scheduled for 2:00 p.m.
