Rangers Demoralize Saginaw's Spirits In Shutout Triumph
Paterson Is A Wall Of Defence In Net Against Spirit
Paterson Makes It Look Easy In Shutout Win Over Saginaw Spirit
Jake Paterson make 31 saves on Sunday afternoon, backstopping the Kitchener Rangers to a 3-0 shutout win over the Saginaw Spirit. David Miller scored twice and added an assist in the win, while sophomore rearguard Frank Hora contributed a trio of helpers.
The teams skated through a scoreless first period: Jake Paterson made 11 saves against his former team, while David Ovsjannikov stopped all 13 Rangers shots he faced.
The deadlock continued for nearly 37 minutes before David Miller put Kitchener on the board, capitalizing on a late power play opportunity. The former Greyhounds forward picked up Nick Magyar's pass from the blueline, sliding a shot under Ovasjannikov for his 17th of the season. Defenceman Frank Hora also picked up an assist on Miller's second goal in as many games.
The Rangers led shots on goal 18-10 in the second period.
Brandon Robinson added to Kitchener's lead early in the third period, crossing in front of the crease and potting the puck behind the netminder's left skate for his 24th of the year. Miller and Hora each picked up their second point of the afternoon with assists on the play.
Miller's second of the game sealed a 3-0 Rangers victory with less than three minutes to play. The draft eligible pivot collected a pass from Adam Mascherin just outside the crease and swept a shot over Ovasjannikov to record his third point of the afternoon. Hora also notched his third point of the game with a helper on the power play marker.
The Rangers out-shot the Spirit 15-10 in the third period, and finished with a 46-31 advantage on the shot clock. Paterson made all 31 saves to earn the shutout, his second since joining the Rangers in a January trade with the Spirit.
Kitchener has secured a spot in the postseason with their 29-22-4-7 record.
Scoring
2. KIT D. Miller, (17) (N. Magyar, F. Hora), 16:58 (PP)
3. KIT B. Robinson, (24) (D. Miller, F. Hora), 5:41
3. KIT D. Miller, (18) (A. Mascherin, F. Hora), 17:46 (PP)
Penalties
1 - SAG D. Sadowy, 7:19 - Boarding, 2 min (PP)
1 - SAG B. Clarke, 15:04 - Unsportsmanlike Cnd., 2 min
1 - KIT F. Hora, 15:04 - Holding, 2 min
2 - KIT G. Franzen, 3:54 - Slashing, 2 min (PP)
2 - SAG B. Clarke, 7:38 - Tripping, 2 min (PP)
2 - SAG K. Bennett, 15:02 - Hooking, 2 min (PP)
2 - KIT D. Llewellyn, 19:08 - Tripping, 2 min (PP)
2 - SAG D. Paliani, 20:00 - Slashing, 2 min (PP)
3 - SAG D. Sadowy, 16:15 - Tripping, 2 min (PP)
Attendance: 6929
Three Stars
1. KIT - 57 Jake Paterson
2. KIT - 71 David Miller
3. KIT - 44 Frank Hora
The next Rangers home game is Friday, March 13 when we host the Guelph Storm at 7:00pm. Tickets to all Kitchener Rangers home games are now available by phone at 519-578-1570 or 1-800-265-8977, via the internet at www.centre-square.com or in person at the Centre In the Square Box Office or the Kitchener Auditorium Box Office.
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