An innocent point shot early on in overtime from Aydin Parekh allowed the Rangers to come away with a 2-1 victory over in Game 1 against the Toronto Jr. Canadiens on the road. North York goaltender James Gray was outstanding making 45 save in his OJHL playoff debut on Wednesday night.
In a very physical and intense affair that saw 16 penalties handed out throughout the contest, the Rangers were able to throw the first punch. During a 5-on-3, Cole O’Hara picked up the loose puck in the slot and backhanded past Toronto’s Christian Mattiace at 16:42 into the first period.
The Rangers defensive and physical style got under the skin of JRC for the majority of the game, but the home side got on the board in the third. On the powerplay, Claudio DeGasperis made a beautiful pass behind the net to Connor Lepage beside the net for the easy tap in and the equalizer at 2:09 into the third. After the goal, Toronto kept the pressure on by Gray was fabulous during the frame. He made 18 saves to push the contest to overtime.
During the first overtime frame, Parekh picked up the puck at the point and threw it on the net. The seeing-eye shot somehow found the back of the net, which gave the Rangers the early series lead.
North York remains on the road for Game 2, which happens on Saturday, February 2nd at Scotiabank Pond. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00pm.
