Rangers Suffer First Home Defeat of the Season to Knights
The Kitchener Rangers faced a challenging night as they suffered their first home defeat of the season against the London Knights. This loss marks a significant moment in the ongoing season, highlighting the need for improvement in their gameplay.
Game Breakdown
The match took place on a Friday night, where the London Knights displayed an impressive performance. They dominated early, scoring two goals in the first period:
- Logan Hawery
- Julian Brown
By the end of the second period, the Knights extended their lead to a commanding 5-0 with three additional goals, showcasing their powerful offense. The Rangers’ goalie, Christian Kirsch, was replaced by Jason Schaubel after allowing five goals in the first two periods.
Third Period Action
Jack Pridham finally got the Rangers on the scoreboard early in the third period, aided by assists from:
- Christian Humphreys
- Cameron Reid
However, the Knights quickly responded with another goal from Max Crete, ensuring their five-goal lead was restored. The final score settled at 6-1, marking a tough loss for the Rangers.
Looking Ahead
This game was part of Rivalry Week, following a strong win against the Guelph Storm earlier in the week. After the loss, head coach Jussi Ahokas emphasized the need for adjustments before their upcoming rematch against the Knights on Sunday.
Ahokas stated, “We have to clean up our game. Lots of defensive mistakes; we didn’t win enough puck battles and stick details. There is a lot to be better at.”
The Rangers will take a day off on Saturday to regroup before heading down the 401 for their rematch. Puck drop is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Sunday, as they aim to secure a victory and recover from this tough loss.
