The Rangers’ stumble in Game 4 appears to have been a temporary one, as the Blueshirts picked up a dominant 5-1 in Friday night’s Game 5.
The Greyhounds looked to be following up their Wednesday win well when Quinn McKenzie scored on his first shot just 54 seconds into the game.
But a mere four minutes later, Cameron Reid would pick the pocket of a Greyhound to spring Cameron Arquette for a chance he wouldn’t miss, tying the game up at 1-1.
The second period would swing fully the way of the Rangers, outshooting the Greyhounds 17-3 through the second frame.
This pressure would result in a pair of goals, one from Jared Wooley who would score his first playoff marker as a Ranger on a three-on-two fast break.
Then it was Dylan Edwards scoring on the power-play, thanks to a pair of misconducts from the pressing Soo Greyhounds.
It was more of the same through the third period until the Greyhounds pulled the goalie with three minutes to go. Despite the extra player, the Greyhounds couldn’t hold back Sam O’Reilly, who would score his third and fourth empty netters of the playoffs.
Following the 5-1 win, head coach Jussi Ahokas said the team executed well in its goal to finish the series in five.
“Really pleased with how the boys played, and today there was no question. The boys showed up, and we didn’t want to go back to the Soo anymore”, he said.
The victory means the Rangers take the series 4-1, setting up a date with the Windsor Spitfires in the Western Conference Championship series.