Recap: Rangers post 6-0 victory in front of largest home crowd since 2020
Kitchener, Ont. – Kitchener Rangers goaltender Marcus Vandenberg earned his first-career OHL shutout to help secure a 6-0 victory in front of a capacity crowd of 7,219 fans at The Aud Sunday. The attendance was the largest since Mar. 3, 2020.
Kitchener scored a goal in all three periods, but really took control of the game with three goals in 1:39 in the third period to help secure a 6-0 victory. Francesco Arcuri (Dallas Stars) recorded two assists in his first game against his former club.
With the win, the Rangers are 8-2-1-0 in their last 11 games.
Kitchener got things started just 1:09 into the game to get the crowd into it early. Matthew Sop fired a shot across his body from the top of the right circle into the top left corner.
Kitchener led 1-0 after 20 minutes and shots favoured the Rangers 11-9.
Kitchener scored another solo goal in the second period to double their lead just over the midway point at 10:32. Carson Rehkopf ripped a shot under the top bar on a nice backhand pass in the slot by Filip Mešár (Montréal Canadiens). Mason Vaccari, the Kingston goaltender made three cross-crease saves in the final two minutes of the period to keep it a two-goal game.
Kitchener held a 2-0 advantage heading into the second intermission. Shots still favoured the Rangers 26-17.
4:19 into the final period, Francesco Arcuri (Dallas Stars) got his first point-of two on the night against his former team as he assisted Danny Zhilkin (Winnipeg Jets) backdoor for the tap-in.
Kitchener then exploded for three goals in 1:39 to take a commanding 6-0 lead. Reid Valade (31st), Ty Hollet (2nd), and Carson Rehkopf (28th) were the goal scorers for Kitchener.
Final score in the game ended 6-0 for the East Avenue Blue. Final shots in the game finished 45-18 for the Rangers. Kitchener finished the game 0-for-3 on the power-play and 2-for-2 on the penalty kill. Carson Rehkopf was the game’s third star with two goals and Marcus Vandenberg was awarded the game’s first star with his first career OHL shutout and recorded an assist. The second star went to Nolan Vaccari of the Kingston Frontenacs with 39 saves.
Next Up: The Rangers final home game of the regular season is this Friday night against the Flint Firebirds. Friday is the Rangers’ Fan Appreciation Night. Great seats are still available and can be purchased online here.
Photo Credit: Tiffany Luke / Kitchener Rangers
For inquiries, contact:
Dominic Hennig
Senior Director, Broadcasting, Communications & Hockey Operations
Kitchener Rangers Hockey Club
519-497-9342
dhennig@kitchenerrangers.com
