By Jamie Neugebauer
John Carpino scored the winner at 8:58 of the second period and Jason Pucciarelli was sensational in net once again as the North York Rangers took Game 1 from the St. Michael’s Buzzers in the Southwest Conference final by the score of 3-2.
Liam Kerins opened the scoring for the Rangers only 1:16 in to the game with a classic ‘Peter Forsberg-style’ penalty shot move.
Corey Kalk, the league leader in playoff scoring, continued his hot streak at 14:37, firing the second goal of the game with a quick release from the slot.
After the Buzzers had battle back to tie it by the early moments of the second period, Michael Giacometti made a brilliant pinch, and found Kalk down low. Kalk then found Carpino out in front and he made no mistake in tight on St. Michael’s goaltender Adrian Ignagni.
The remainder of the contest went back and forth as Pucciarelli and the Rangers shut the door on the waves of Buzzer attacks.
North York and St. Michael’s will resume their series Thursday night at 8:30 PM for Game 2 at the Herb.
