Richardson and Rangers ride the Storm

Make it three in a row for the Kitchener Rangers.

Luke Richardson made 28 saves and the Rangers ripped the Guelph Storm 4-1 at the Memorial Auditorium Friday evening.

Kitchener exercised some redemption after an early season drubbing at the hands of the Storm at the Sleeman Centre.

Richardson stopped 28 shots, including a barrage during Guelph’s two-man advantage in the second period.

“A big part of the momentum shift was [Richardson] during that 5-on-3. He was exceptional,” said Rangers Head Coach Jay McKee. “When you go out and you put on a performance like that, especially during the 5-on-3, you take a bit of wind out of the sails for the other team.”

The Rangers jumped out to a three-goal lead in the first on the back of goals from captain Connor Bunnaman, Jack York, and Logan Stanley. Eric Guest would add a third period marker.

Slotted on the fourth line, Nick McHugh – a third year forward – earned two points in the win.

“Absolutely not,” said McHugh when asked if his game changed being on the fourth line. “I just try and focus on the things I’m good at and our line is starting to click. We don’t get on that much; to put points on the board, shows the coaches they can trust us.”

McKee agreed, saying, “When [our fourth line] can go out and contribute like that, it really helps our team.”

Giovanni Vallati also notched two assists in the win, giving him four assists, and a plus-6 ratings in two games since coming back from suspension.

The win over their highway-7 rival helps the Rangers erase a three-game losing streak, by winning as many games in a row after what McKee called a, ‘Therapy session.’

Kitchener is off until next Friday, when they kick off a back-to-back home-and-home with the defending Memorial Cup Champion Windsor Spitfires.

So, is there another ‘Therapy Session’ planned for this week?

“We do video every day, but that one was more intense for sure,” laughed McKee. “I’m sure another one will come up at some time. It seems to have worked.”