New year, same Adam Mascherin

Adam Mascherin mirrored his former teammate.

The Florida Panthers’ second-rounder fired four goals on New Year’s Day and the Kitchener Rangers popped the Peterborough Petes 5-4 in overtime.

On October 29, 2015, Mascherin was at home watching a Rangers and Petes game when Ryan MacInnis scored four goals in a 7-2 win.

“I said, ‘This guy is too good for this league’,” laughed the Maple, Ontario native, who ended the New Year’s Day game in overtime, with a one-timer from the bottom of the circle for his fifth game-winner of the season.

“Logan Stanley was helping me with my one-timers Friday morning before our game against Erie,” pointed out Mascherin, who has 17 goals in his last 12 games. “I ended up getting a one-timer goal that game, and two today, so maybe I should take him to The Keg or something.”

The primary assist on two of Mascherin’s goals came from Joseph Garreffa, who centered Mascherin and Kole Sherwood on the top lined. He rewarded head coach Jay McKee with three assists. (The OHL is sure to give Garreffa a fourth assist after one was missed on the opening goal of the game.)

“Whenever you’re going to give Mascherin the puck in the slot, you know you’re going to get an assist,” said Garreffa, who now has 33 helpers on the campaign – soon to be 34.

Mascherin’s 28 goals are second in the league, trailing only Aaron Luckuk. The Memorial Cup winner and the Barrie Colts are at the Aud Tuesday night.

“Hopefully we can keep going. They’re playing pretty well, so it should be a good one,” said Garreffa.