Familiar faces burn Rangers
Hancock paces Attack to blowout victory at the Aud
KITCHENER — Of course it was Kevin Hancock.
The Owen Sound forward is an absolute Kitchener Rangers killer.
So when a rebound from a Jonah Gadjovich shot bounced to the left of Blueshirts netminder Luke Richardson, Hancock was ready and waiting to deposit his 27th of the season — and 100th career Ontario Hockey League point — Thursday night at the Aud.
The power-play marker put the surging Attack ahead midway through the first period and stood up as the game winner as Owen Sound downed Kitchener 5-0 for its sixth win against the Rangers this season.
“I just do my thing,” said Hancock, who also added a helper in the rout. “It doesn’t matter who the opponent is.”
The top-line centre now has eight goals and six assists in seven games against the Rangers. He certainly loves playing against the red, white and blue.
“I don’t know what it is,” he said. “I feel like every time we play them my line just comes ready to play. We just all work together really well.” Hancock didn’t act alone. In fact his line, which includes wingers Gadjovich and Nick Suzuki, gave the Rangers fits all night. Suzuki added a pair while Gadjovich and Matthew Struthers also scored as part of a four-goal third period.
Kitchener had its chances early but was fiercely foiled by Attack goalie Michael McNiven.
The OHL’s top puckstopper gloved snipes from Rangers Adam Mascherin and Connor Bunnaman. He robbed Jake Henderson on a goalmouth scramble. And he kicked his pad out to deny Dylan Seitz.
Those were just some of his eye-popping 21 saves.
Like Hancock, McNiven too has owned the Rangers. The Montreal Canadiens prospect improved to 6-0 against Kitchener while Thursday’s shutout was his second against the club this season.
“It gives us a great amount of confidence playing in front of him,” said Hancock. “Knowing he’s back there making amazing saves for us when we need it is awesome.”
The Rangers have had a tough run against divisional opponents this season, going 7-16 versus Midwest foes. That record flatters the Rangers since four of those victories are over conference basement dwellers the Guelph Storm.
Kitchener goalie Luke Opilka remains sidelined with a concussion and has yet to pass the returnto-play protocol. The club is hoping he can return this weekend, but that decision is up to a doctor.
Rookie netminder Lucas Pfeil was called up from Ridley College to backup Richardson, who fell to 6-2, Thursday.
Kitchener has now lost two in a row while Owen Sound snapped its two-game losing streak. NEXT UP: The Rangers hit the road to Oshawa to face the Generals on Saturday at 7:05 p.m.