Ming scores shootout winner as the Rangers edge the Spitfires

KITCHENER, Ont. - Eric Ming scored the shootout winner as the Kitchener Rangers beat the visiting Windsor Spitfires 3-2 on Friday in Ontario Hockey League action.

Evan McEneny and Justin Bailey scored in regulation for the Rangers (17-8-2), who have won 11-of-13 games on home ice this season, while Jared Gilbert picked up a pair of assists after missing seven games with a concussion.

Ben Johnson and Chris Marchese replied for the Spitfires (10-12-6), who have lost six-of-seven games, and Josh Ho-Sang chipped in with two assists.

Franky Palazzese turned aside 30-of-32 shots in the win. Palazzese also stopped Brady Vail, who was upended by McEneny while cutting to the net, on a penalty shot at 16:22 of the first period with a left pad save.

Jaroslav Pavleka was named second star and stopped 38 shots in the loss.

Kitchener was 0-for-3 on the power play while Windsor wasn’t able to score on six chances with the man advantage.

Johnson opened the scoring at 6:12 of the second period, taking a pass from Ho-Sang as the trailer on a 3-on-2 break and buried it between Palazzese’s pads.

McEneny tied the game just over nine minutes later with a wrist shot from the point that got by a screened Pavelka.

Bailey put the Rangers in front 67 seconds into the third with a slapshot from the top of the right face-off circle, but the lead was shortlived as Marchese finished off a three-way passing play with Ho-Sang and Jordan Maletta just over three minutes later.

Nothing was settled until Ming scored as the sixth shooter in the shootout, while Palazzese stoned Vail again to preserve the win.