Rookie Rangers goalie steps up big time
OSHAWA — A challenge was issued to goalie Luke Richardson about two weeks ago.
The Kitchener Rangers’ starting netminder, Luke Opilka, had suffered a concussion and was going to be out of action for an indeterminate amount of time.
His absence put Richardson on the hot seat.
“It’s an opportunity for him,” said Rangers coach Jay McKee. “In this sport you have to make the best of them.
“Richardson isn’t just getting put in as a backup, he’s getting a chance to have a starting role. It was a little bit of a challenge to step up and show what he can do”
It’s the break the 17-year-old has been waiting for.
For two years he has bided his time, while bouncing back and forth between the Jr. B Kitchener Dutchmen and the Rangers; or riding the bench with the Rangers for long stretches. Through it all, he’s been a good soldier and has never complained.
So the Barrie native isn’t about to let his shot slip by.
“Ever since I was kid, I’ve
been waiting for this opportunity,” he said.
Richardson is 3-1 since taking over the crease. All three of his victories have come in tough road games, including past Saturday in Oshawa.
The backup made 36 saves in Kitchener’s 4-1 win against the Generals at the Tribute Communities Centre, and came 13 minutes and change away from collecting his first Ontario Hockey League shutout.
Oshawa is in a dogfight with the Peterborough Petes for top spot in the Eastern Conference and was hungry for the two points.
The Gens blasted a dozen shots at Richardson during the first 10 minutes of action, but the greenhorn didn’t give in.
“They were coming at me pretty hard,” he said. “It’s always nice getting shots early. It really helps you get into the game.”
The Rangers answered with just one of their own during the first half of the opening frame, but made it count. Veteran Darby Llewellyn scored on a short-handed breakaway.
Kitchener’s special teams continued to shine, with Joseph Garreffa and Cole Carter adding power-play goals for a 3-0 lead heading into the third period.
Allan McShane’s redirect off a Sean Allen point shot broke Richardson’s shutout bid, but it was all the offence the Generals could muster.
Garreffa added an empty netter and now has 23 goals this season.
Surviving that opening barrage was key for the visitors.
“For him (Richardson) to go out there and get that volume of shots and not let any leak in gave us a ton of confidence,” said McKee.
Opilka remains sidelined and must pass a return to play protocol before he can strap on the pads, which means Richardson will continue to be the go-to guy.
Saturday’s game was Mason Kohn’s first against his old club.
The fourth-year forward was sent to Oshawa for a trio of draft picks at the OHL trade deadline.
And the sun has shone on the Florida native in his new home. Kohn is seeing top line status at times, receives regular ice on the power play and penalty killing unit, and has 14 points in 19 games since the move.
“I’m getting a lot of opportunity here,” he said. “I’m just adding my hard work and physical play. It’s bringing out a lot of offence in me.”
Being in the hunt for a conference championship is new territory for Kohn.
“We’re actually playing well and I don’t know if anyone expected it,” he said. “Over the years in Kitchener we had some great teams, but the conference was always so tight. We’re all excited here. We know we have a team to do something.”
NEXT UP: The Rangers return home to host the Guelph Storm on Tuesday at 7 p.m.