There will be blood

The Kitchener Rangers and Guelph Storm are resuming their rivalry before the hockey season starts - and this time, blood is on the line.

The two OHL clubs have pledged 1,000 units of blood and are competing to get the most new blood donors into local Canadian Blood Services clinics.

Rangers Head Coach Steve Spott says it's an opportunity to give a face and a presence to a worthwhile cause.

The competition, which starts today, encourages the teams' staff, players, sponsors and fans to give blood.

Tara Brodrecht with Canadian Blood Services says demand for blood goes up in September because bookings are down from the summer months when regular donors take vacations.

Last year, the competition resulted in 900 donations, impacting 2,700 local patients.