Leivo scores winnner as the Rangers edge the Battalion

BRAMPTON, Ont. - Joshua Leivo scored the eventual winner as the Kitchener Rangers held off the Brampton Battalion 2-1 in Ontario Hockey League action Sunday afternoon.

Leivo, who was acquired from the Sudbury Wolves in January, has seven goals and 22 points in 21 games since joining Kitchener.

" (I'm) really enjoying my time here," said Leivo. "We are gelling well and I think we have the pieces in place to make a playoff run."

Max Iafrate also scored for the Rangers (35-17-8), who improved to 15-10-5 on the road, while Joel Vienneau stopped 27-of-28 shots for the win.

Barclay Goodrow scored the lone goal for the Battalion (28-22-9), who had their three-game win streak halted, and Matej Machovsky turned away 29 shots in a losing cause.

Kitchener opened the scoring on the power play with six minutes left in the first period when Iafrate’s shot from the point got by Machovsky. Leivo made it 2-0 at 15:11 of the second period, beating Machovsky with a shot from the slot.

Goodrow brought Brampton to within one just shy of the five minute mark in the third period when he pounced on a rebound off a Marcus McIvor shot.

Kitchener went 1 for 2 on the power play while Brampton failed to score on its only chance with the man advantage.