Rangers capitalize late in victory over Spirit

Adrian Misaljevic led the Kitchener Rangers to a 7-4 win over the Saginaw Spirit on Saturday night at Dow Event Center in Michigan.

Trent Swick scored the winner late in the final frame, potting the goal on a one-timer after a cross-crease pass from Misaljevic on the power play, with 2,767 fans in attendance.

With the victory, the Rangers improve to 4-2-1-1, while Saginaw falls to 4-1-1-0. Kitchener remains in the second spot in the Western Conference, with the Spirit sitting just behind them.

Saginaw held their only lead of the match in the first period, after Joey Willis and Jacob Cloutier both scored their third goals of the 2024-25 regular season, making it a 2-1 game.

Luca Romano opened the games scoring to give the Rangers an early 1-0 lead, just 4:40 into the opening period with his third goal of the young campaign.

After tying the game at three late in the second period, Saginaw was outscored by Kitchener in the final frame, allowing three goals in the final 5:33 of regulation.

Misaljevic scored two goals with a pair of assists in the win, both of his goals came in the third period, with one being an empty-netter in the final minute. The forward leads the Rangers in goals, assists, and points this season, scoring five goals with 12 points in eight games played.

“He had a difficult game in Sault St. Marie, and he’s the first to admit that,” said 570 News Colour Commentator Paul Fixter, post game, when talking about Misaljevic. “Boy did he bounce back tonight, first star two goals, two assists.”

With their victory, Kitchener extended their point streak to six games and snapped a three-game head-to-head losing streak against Saginaw that dates back to last season. The Rangers are back in action against the Niagara IceDogs on Friday night at the Aud for their first matchup of a three game weekend. The Spirit are back in action Sunday evening, when they host the Soo Greyhounds at 5:30pm