Lucas Pfeil made 34 saves in his season debut, but Kitchener falls for the second time of the weekend in extra-time.
Three-on-three hasn't been kind to the Kitchener Rangers this year.
They lost twice this weekend in the extra-frame, but Rangers head coach Jay McKee isn't worried.
“I still like it. We had our chances to win the first time around [Friday against Saginaw],” said McKee, before turning his attention to Sunday. “The goal they scored was a bit of a mental lapse in front of the net. That happens when you're tired.”
The Sudbury Wolves scored three times unanswered, including the overtime winner just 49 seconds into the bonus time and clipped Kitchener 3-2 in overtime Sunday afternoon at The Aud.
Lucas Pfeil made his season debut in goal for the Rangers. He was solid stopping 34-of-37 Sudbury shots.
“Luke played great. He gave us a chance to win,” said McKee. “We wanted to keep the shots to the outside; let him see the shots and clear the front of the net. I think he built some confidence with his effort here tonight.”
“I felt good. I've been working at lot with Kain [Tisi, Rangers' goaltending coach] and tried to implement those things,” said Pfeil. “The boys played good in front of me.”
It was the Owen Sound native's first OHL start since February 20, 2017 when he faced the Hamilton Bulldogs on the road.
He game up five goals in a 5-2 loss, as a 16-year-old.
“I've learned a lot since that first game,” said Pfeil. “Being able to play last year with the Dutchmen, training camp this year and preseason, I've grown a lot; not only physically but mentally."
Despite the loss, the Rangers are still undefeated in regulation six games into the season.
They've done it without arguably their best defenceman Connor Hall and sophomore forward Mike Petizian. Add in the recent acquisition of Alexey Lipanov and help is most certainly on the way, with all three expected in the line-up next weekend.
“It'll be a good influx with some players,” said McKee. “We'll make some decisions on who we want to put together after.”
Kitchener kicks off a Western Conference swing Friday in Sault Ste. Marie continuing to Saginaw Saturday and sliding to Flint Sunday, wrapping up another three-in-three.
All the games can be heard here, on 570 NEWS.
Story by Chris Pope
Blake Murray scores 51 seconds into overtime as the Sudbury Wolves rally from 2-0 down to edge the #OHLRangers 3-2. Shots 37-32 SBY. #OHL
— Mike Farwell (@farwell_ohl) October 7, 2018
