Kitchener, Ont. – The Kitchener Rangers recorded their second-straight win in back-to-back games over Central Division leader North Bay Friday, handing the Battalion their only two losses in the past 10 games. Marcus Vandenbverg stood tall between-the-pipes making 39 saves on 41 shots to earn his first-career OHL victory and Joseph Serpa recorded two goals in a 3-2 victory before more than 6,100 fans at The Aud Friday.
It was another fast start between the two clubs. Marcus Vandenberg was tested early making a nice breakaway stop with the paddle of his stick 30 seconds into the game. Shortly after at 3:53, Francesco Pinelli (Los Angeles Kings) put Kitchener ahead on a highlight-reel goal. Pinelli made a nifty move at the top of the left face-off circle, beating his man for a mini breakaway. He scored on a fake to the forehand, then pulled to the backhand before sliding the puck through the legs of Dom DiVincentiis. The period ended with Kitchener leading 1-0 and shots favouring the Battalion 13-11.
Kitchener picked up right where they left off in the first period, starting the middle frame strong. Just under two minutes in, Kitchener had their lead doubled to 2-0. Roman Schmidt (Tampa Bay Lightning) had a point-shot stopped with the rebound falling to the left side of the goal. Joseph Serpa was first to the puck and was able to jam a shot under the pad of the North Bay goaltender for his seventh goal of the season to make it 2-0. Then, at 4:50, a Roman Schmidt point-shot was stopped by Dom DiVincentiis, but he lost the feel of the puck and it trickled between his legs. Joseph Serpa was first to pounce on the loose puck to extend Kitchener’s lead to 3-0 on his second goal of the game.
Offensive zone pressure was applied by North Bay and forced a turnover, with what was intended for a breakout pass, was intercepted in the slot by Dalyn Wakely who snapped a shot past the glove of Marcus Vandenberg who could do nothing on the play. Kitchener led 3-1 after 40 minutes. Shots favoured the Battalion 30-19.
After good defensive play in the third period by Kitchener, North Bay was finally able to draw within a goal with six minutes left in regulation. The OHL’s leading skater in shots on goal, Ty Nelson (Seattle Kraken), received a pass in the high slot and wristed a shot into the top left corner, beating Vandenberg past the blocker. With 1:40 left to play North Bay pulled their goalie for the extra attacker for the second consecutive game against Kitchener. The Rangers had a couple attempts at the empty net but couldn’t find the insurance goal. A faceoff in the Kitchener zone with four seconds left to play was won to the half-wall by Francesco Pinelli, but the puck somehow found its way to the high slot with Ty Nelson starring down the goal, but Marcus Vandenberg came sliding across with a massive right-pad save to cap off a career night for himself and securing the regulation victory.
The game ended 3-2 for the Blueshirts and shots favoured the Battalion 41-20. Kitchener finished the game 0-for-2 on the power-play but 1-for-1 on the penalty-kill.
Kitchener native Justin Ertel (Dallas Stars) was awarded the third star of the game. Star number two went to Joseph Serpa who recorded two goals in the game and the first star was undisputedly awarded to Marcus Vandenberg who finished the night with 39 stops on 41 opportunities.
Next Up:
The East Avenue Blue are back at The Aud this Sunday for a rare 6 p.m. puck drop against the Windsor Spitfires. It’s the Rangers’ ’70’s Retro Night!’ Wear your best 70’s, look and celebrate peace and love at The Aud. The game will honour the Rangers’ 70’s history, include activations, music and more from the decade. Tickets can be purchased online now by clicking here.
Photo Credit: Tiffany Luke / Kitchener Rangers
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