Kitchener Rangers preparing to embark on another run at the playoffs
The OHL playoffs are set to begin this week with the Kitchener Rangers ready to drop the puck for their first round series against the Windsor Spitfires.
Wednesday morning marked the team’s last full practice before heading to Windsor.
The team knows what they need to do in the series against the western-leading Windsor team, and that’s secure four wins to get to the second round.
The Rangers and Spitfires have gone head to head four times this year, with Windsor winning all four meetings and outscoring Kitchener 25 to13.
Leading the charge for Windsor is the OHL’s leading corer Matthew Maggio and the NHL’s fourth overall pick Shane Wright.
The Rangers are coming off an inconsistent season, which included the firing of first-year head coach Chris Dennis.
The general manager and interim head coach, Mike McKenzie, described the season as a “rollercoaster ride.”
He said everyone gets a clean slate though, and once the playoffs begin, the team needs to be ready to flip the switch – especially when playing a team like Windsor.
"Those guys can all put the puck in the net. They’ve been a high-powered, high-flying offence all season. That’s going to be an important part of the series. I don’t think we’re going to shut them down completely, but we gotta do a good job on them. Usually things ramp up throughout the year, but playoffs is a whole different level,” said McKenzie.
The Rangers captain said the team is really excited for the playoffs.
“They got some good players, but we have a really deep locker room as well. It’s going to be really fun, and were really excited to play Thursday," said team captain Francesco Pinelli
Pinelli said they plan the team already has a game plan for the upcoming first series.
"Staying focused, playing with speed and confidence and playing smart," he said.
Tickets are still available for games 3 and 4 at the Kitchener Aud scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday next week.
Four thousand tickets have been sold for the playoffs so far.
“Attendance wise, the first year after COVID we couldn’t be happier with the support that we receive from the city. And it’s still growing,” said Dominic Hennig, the senior director of broadcasting, communications and hockey operations.
If you’re a Guelph Storm fan they will be in Sarnia to open their series against the Sting on Friday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.