Prior the game, Ranger overager, and former Ice Dog: Nathan O'Nabigon was quoted on the possibilty of being the first Rangers team to lose to the Mississauga Ice Dogs.  It's something that the current Rangers' would rather leave for the Rangers teams of the future.  Obviously something that Nathan O'Nabigon holds close to heart after spending nearly two full seasons in a Mississauga Ice Dogs uniform struggling along with the rest of the team.  The Ice Dogs have improved in recent years, making their first playoff appearance last season, and going into the game against the Rangers, led the entire East Conference.  Some things, however don't change, and for the Rangers what better a team to break out of tailspin against than the Ice Dogs, a team the Rangers have been undefeated against since they joined the league in 1998-'99.

The Rangers got on the board early, which went far in propelling the team to an eventual 3-1 victory.  David Clarkson scored during the first period and Jesse Bouchere followed his goal only moments later, giving the Rangers a two-goal cushion.  The Ice Dogs received the only powerplay of the first period when Boris Valabik was called for holding, the lanky Ranger defenseman was on the ice for an alarming amount of time, hurt or stunned holding the stick of one of the Ice Dogs.  The Rangers were outshot 13-10.

The second period brought tougher times with it for the Rangers.  The Ice Dogs received a 1:25 two-man advantage after a slashing penalty was assessed to Paul McFarland early in the period.  Patrick O'Sullivan was finally able to tuck the puck through, Kellerman and the puck just barely crossed the line.  O'Sullivan's goal which occured at the 3:02 mark of the second period was the Ice Dogs' 9th shot of the period.  Tyson Kellerman who has fought the puck over recent week was very busy throughout the period he made a total of 20 stops, many of them coming after the goal, at times he single handedly kept the Rangers in lead.  The Rangers had their opportunities as well.  Michael Richards had a clear break but sailed his wrist shot high and wide of goal.  Mike Duco helped the Rangers' offensive woes continue with a 4-minute high sticking double-minor that extended into the third period.
 
 

The Third period was an anxious one for the Rangers.  It was also by far the most entertaining of the three periods.  No penalties occured, and the both the Rangers and Ice Dogs were hitting heavily and often.  Kellerman continued to stone wall the Ice Dogs and suddenly the Rangers were seeing the same Tyson Kellerman that frustrated the Rangers in a 3-3 tie where the Rangers put 59 shots on the then , Saginaw netminder.  He stopped a breakaway during the third, he also several second Ice Dog opportunities.  As the game drew to a close the Ice Dogs pulled their netminder, and Nathan O'Nabigon added an empty net goal.

Tyson Kellerman was sensational as well as lucky at times for the Rangers, he stopped 47 of 48 shots, and was a very easy choice for the games' first star.  Despite the close score during the second period, the period was fight-filled, David Clarkson, Adam Keefe, and Petr Kanko all shoke their gloves off to fight Mississauga players.  The Rangers improved their all-time record to 11-0-0-0 over the Ice Dogs, the Rangers also own an 11 game winning streak over the Erie Otters, who will visit the Aud on Friday night.  Overage forwards: O'Nabigon and Boucher both upped their physical play, and gained positive results from the effort.  Boucher led all Rangers with 2 points including the game winner.  Nathan O'Nabigon would score on the empty Ice Dogs' net.

The Rangers only had 3 powerplay opportunites all game long.  The Ice Dogs were 1 of 5 on their powerplay chances, their goal came while they were up two men early in the second period.  Marcus Smith missed his second straight as the Rangers continued to struggle with only 5 defenders.  Andre Benoit was used to exhaustion and all five were tidy around the crease area, and at times made things easy for Kellerman.