The Kitchener Rangers attempt to take a 3-0 OHL Championship Series stranglehold over the Barrie Colts when they play Game 3 on Sunday evening.
Kitchener enters Sunday’s action with a 2-0 series lead over Barrie after a dramatic overtime victory in Game 2 on Friday night.
Ottawa Senators draft pick Matthew Andonovski was the overtime hero on Friday as the Rangers defeated the Colts 4-3 in Game 2.
Kitchener was clinging to a 3-2 lead well into the third period with Barrie buzzing around the Rangers’ net for the equalizer. With the Colts’ net empty in the dying seconds of the frame co-captain Kashawn Aitcheson kept his team alive, beating Rangers netminder Christian Kirsch with just three seconds remaining in regulation.
The Rangers then dominated the overtime session, outshooting the Colts 20-7 before Andonovski ended the game with just under two minutes remaining.
Vancouver Canucks prospect Gabriel Chiarot, Colorado Avalanche draft pick Christian Humphreys, and veteran defenceman Carson Campbell also provided goals for the Rangers.
OHL MVP Sam O’Reilly registered an assist in the victory, bringing his playoff total to 15 goals and 24 points in 16 games. The Tampa Bay Lightning prospect registered 19 goals and 71 points in the regular season split between the London Knights and Rangers.
He is making his fourth-straight OHL final appearance after going to the last three championship series with the Knights.
Kirsch, a San Jose Sharks prospect, made 30 saves in the win and improved his playoff record to 14-2 with an .897 save percentage and 2.36 goals-average.
Kitchener outshot Barrie 59-33 in the game with Colts netminder Ben Hrebik standing on his head, making 55 saves.
The 6-foot-3 goaltender now has a 12-6 record with a .923 save percentage and 2.63 GAA in the playoffs.
Aitcheson’s goal was his seventh in the playoffs and is fourth in league scoring with 25 points. The New York Islanders prospect led all OHL defencemen in scoring during the regular season with 28 goals and 70 points.
Dallas Stars first-round pick Emil Hemming and veteran forward Brad Gardiner also provided goals for the Colts.
Hemming is tied for second in playoff scoring with 13 goals and 26 points and is only behind teammate Cole Beaudoin, who has 10 goals and 29 points.
Beaudoin, a Utah Mammoth prospect, missed the team’s last three playoff games with an undisclosed injury.
Game 4 of the OHL Championship Series takes place on Tuesday from the Sadlon Arena in Barrie which can be seen LIVE at 7 p.m./ET/4 p.m. PT on TSN4, TSN.ca, and the TSN App.
