GAME HIGHLIGHTS & RECAP: Spitfires vs. Rangers – Apr. 24th, 2026
Kitchener, Ont. – After a four-goal opening period, the teams only were only able to get one more across the line over the remaining forty minutes of play – including a goal-less third period. The game look as it was headed to a second overtime period, before Sam O’Reilly cashed in on the power play to secure the Game 1 victory for the Blueshirts.
Windsor opened the scoring just 47 seconds into the contest with Anthony Cristoforo recording his third goal of the playoffs. The Rangers responded quickly, with 2026 NHL Draft Eligible, Alexander Bilecki evening the score. Dylan Edwards gave Kitchener their first lead of the night three minutes later. Before the period ended, Nathan Villeneuve tied things up as the teams headed into the first break tied at 2-2.
Jack Nesbitt gave Windsor a second-period lead, but Jack Pridham got his first goal of the playoffs on Kitchener’s first-of-two power play goals on the night to keep the teams even through the second intermission. With no team finding the back of the net in the third period, overtime was needed. At the two-minute mark, Haeden Ellis drew a high-sticking call sending the Rangers to the man advantage. Sam O’Reilly jumped on a loose puck in front of the Windsor net and banged home the overtime winner.
Attendance: 7,363
Scoring Summary:
First Period
WSR 1 – KIT 0
0:47 Anthony Cristoforo (3) – Carson Woodall, Andrew Robinson
WSR 1 – KIT 1
4:07 Alexander Bilecki (2) – Andrew Vermeulen, Avry Ansti
WSR 1 – KIT 2
7:18 Dylan Edwards (9) – Matthew Andonovski, Christian Humphrey
WSR 2 – KIT 2
17:13 Nathan Villeneuve (2) – Cole Davis
Second Period
WSR 3 – KIT 2
15:58 Jack Nesbitt (7) – Unassisted
WSR 3 – KIT 3 – PPG
19:49 Jack Pridham (1) – Sam O’Reilly, Christian Humphreys
Overtime
WSR 3 – KIT 4 – GWG/PPG
18:08 Sam O’Reilly (11) – Christian Humphreys, Cameron Reid
The Numbers Game:
Shots: WSR 23 – KIT 31
Power play: WSR 0/1 – KIT 2/4
FO%: WSR 43% – KIT 57%
The Starting Goalies:
Joey Costanzo (WSR) – 27/31 Saves, Four Goals Against, Loss
Christian Kirsh (KIT) – 20/23 Saves, Three Goals Against, Win
UP NEXT:
Following Game 1, the Blueshirts will remain on home ice for Game 2 on Sunday, April 26th, with puck drop set for 6:00 p.m. at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium. The Rangers will then travel to Windsor to face the Spitfires for Games 3 and 4, beginning on Monday, April 27th.
For media inquiries, contact:
Luca Lombardi
Manager, Communications and Community Relations
Kitchener Rangers Hockey Club
(416) 885-4510
