One for the record books
Hunter Brzustewicz ties franchise mark for most points by a defenceman in a single season
It wasn’t the ending the Kitchener Rangers wanted.
But it was a record-tying night for defenceman Hunter Brzustewicz.
The Calgary Flames prospect picked up a pair of assists in the team’s 4-3 overtime loss to the Erie Otters in the final game of the regular season Saturday night at the Erie Insurance Arena.
The two helpers gave Brzustewicz 92 points which ties Jason Gladney (1993-94) for the franchise mark for points by a blueliner in a single season.
“I think anyone would be lying if they said they didn’t feel good about it,” said the 19-year-old. “I think it goes to my teammates. I wish they could be up there, too. I’m not going to stop talking about them. They’ve done everything for me and made my life easy.”
The Rangers were up 1-0 midway through the first period when Brzustewicz went end-to-end before firing the puck on Erie keeper Ethan Fraser.
The biscuit bounced off the goalie’s pads and right to Antonino Pugliese who buried his 15th goal of the season.
In the third period, Brzustewicz missed on a wraparound but notched an assist when rookie Tanner Lam cleaned things up to tie the game 3-3.
Kitchener had plenty of chances in overtime, but it was Erie’s Martin Misiak who capped the win with 1:48 to go.
“Everyone knew about the record on the team,” said Brzustewicz. “But we were just trying to get a road win.”
The Rangers finished the season with a record of 41-23-4-0 and placed fourth in the Ontario Hockey League’s Western Conference.
The team would not know until Sunday night if it would play the Otters or the Guelph Storm in the best-of-seven conference quarterfinals.
Both teams were tied with 73 points on Saturday with the Storm needing at least one point in its tilt against the London Knights on Sunday to clinch fifth spot.
Either way, the Rangers will open the series on home ice with Games 1 and 2 slated to run Friday and Sunday at the Aud. Tickets are already on sale.
Kitchener limped to the finish line having lost its final four games, including a 5-2 decision to the Storm on Friday night at the Aud.
The team was a league-best 24-82-0 in the first half of the season before going 17-15-2-0 in the final 34 games.
But Brzustewicz isn’t worried. “I just want to send a message out there to trust the process,” he said.
“Every season isn’t always ups. There are downs in there, too. It’s how you respond to it. We’re not going to quit. We all believe. We all know what we’re capable of and we just have to put the pieces together,” he added.
Luke Ellinas also scored in Saturday’s loss, while backup goalie Tristan Malboeuf was stellar and made 41 saves.
‘‘ I think it goes to my teammates.
HUNTER BRZUSTEWICZ