The struggle for the season's first victory will continue for the Soo Greyhounds.
In their third Ontario Hockey League outing of the regular season and first on the road, the Greyhounds fell 4-1 to the Kitchener Rangers on Friday night.
The struggle for a win was made even more difficult heading into the two-game road trip as star captain Jeff Carter will not play this weekend after suffering a knee injury in practise on Wednesday.
The Hounds did receive some relief as Tyler Kennedy and Reg Thomas made their season debuts after sitting out the first two games of the season for suspensions received for slashing incidents in the preseason.
After Michael Richards opened the scoring 2:54 in, Hounds defenseman Martin Tuma scored his second of the season on the power play to tie the game at 1-1.
Shortly after with Kitchener on the power play, Evan McGrath scored his first of two goals to give the Rangers a 2-1 lead after one period.
After a scoreless second period, McGrath scored his second before Andre Benoit capped the scoring with an empty net goal.
The loss spoiled a fine performance from Hounds goaltender Kyle Gajewski in his first start of the season. Gajewski kicked aside 38 of 41 shots and was named the game's second star.
The Greyhounds, who fell to 0-3, are back in action on Saturday against the Owen Sound Attack beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Next home action for the locals is on Wednesday as the Sarnia Sting visit Memorial Gardens for a 7 p.m. start.
*** LEWICKI DEALT:
On Thursday, the Greyhounds dealt Aaron Lewicki to the Barrie Colts in exchange for an eighth round pick in the 2006 OHL draft.
Lewicki was one of three veterans cut from the lineup late in training camp. Mike Looby has already been traded to Plymouth while the team continues to try and deal Brett Connolly, a former Sudbury first round draft pick.