KITCHENER (Interstat) — The Guelph Storm will visit the Kitchener Rangers in a minor league hockey game on Friday at Kitchener Memorial Auditorium in Kitchener, Ont. Guelph carries a 9-2 season record into the matchup, while Kitchener is 6-7.

Guelph enters after a 5-2 home win over Sudbury. Owen Griffin and Ryan Roobroeck each recorded one goal and one assist in that game, and Tyler Hopkins scored once. Hopkins is a player to watch for the Storm. In his recent performances, Hopkins had one goal and two shots on goal against Sudbury; four shots on goal and two penalty minutes against Flint; one goal and two shots on goal at Sarnia; one goal, one assist and four shots on goal at Owen Sound; two shots on goal against Owen Sound; one goal, one assist and two shots on goal against Kitchener; two goals and four shots on goal against Windsor; one goal, two assists, seven shots on goal and two penalty minutes at Owen Sound; and two assists and three shots on goal against Oshawa. Hopkins also had one goal, one assist and two shots on goal in Guelph’s 6-0 win over Kitchener in the teams’ most recent head-to-head meeting. Guelph’s other recent results include a 3-2 overtime win over Flint, a 5-2 win at Sarnia and a 10-5 win at Owen Sound.

Kitchener enters after a 2-1 road win at Oshawa. Jack LaBrash scored once and had three shots on goal in that game and is a player to watch for the Rangers. In his recent appearances, LaBrash had one goal and three shots on goal at Oshawa; one shot on goal and two penalty minutes against London; one shot on goal and two penalty minutes at Saginaw; one shot on goal at Soo; one shot on goal and two penalty minutes at Flint; one assist against Kingston; one assist, two shots on goal and five penalty minutes at Erie; and one assist and two penalty minutes against Erie. Tanner Lam also scored in Kitchener’s most recent win, and Avry Anstis had one assist and three shots on goal. Kitchener’s other recent results include a 5-2 win over Niagara, an overtime win over Saginaw and a 6-3 win over Kingston.

Guelph’s 6-0 victory over Kitchener is the most recent matchup between the teams. The Storm have won their last two games, and the Rangers will look to build on their latest road result as they return home.

Interstat’s game simulator is projecting a final score of Kitchener 5, Guelph 3.