Game Preview: Rangers Open 2026-27 Regular Season at The Aud Against Owen Sound

Game Preview: Rangers Open 2026-27 Regular Season at The Aud Against Owen Sound

Kitchener, ON – The Kitchener Rangers begin a new Ontario Hockey League regular season tonight at The Aud, welcoming the Owen Sound Attack to town for a Western Conference clash and the first home date of the 2026-27 campaign. Fans can enjoy a special pre-game ceremony where we will raise three banners to the rafters.

• TV: Rogers Channel 20 (Kitchener)
• Rogers Super Sports Pak Channel 469 (Ontario)
• Video Stream: Live on FloHockey
• Radio: CKWR 98.5
• East Avenue Blue Digital Magazine  
• Live Stats 
• Live Tweets 

THE OPPONENT
After wrapping up the preseason, Kitchener turns the page to meaningful hockey with an early opportunity to set the tone on home ice. The Rangers enter the night looking to bring pace, structure, and energy in front of the home crowd as the club opens another long regular-season journey. Owen Sound arrives in Kitchener for the first meeting between the Midwest Division rivals this season. Games between the Rangers and Attack are physical, and competitive, making Friday’s opener an immediate test as both teams look to start the year with two points.

HEAD-TO-HEAD:
The Kitchener Rangers will play the Owen Sound Attack eight times during the regular season. Four times on home ice and four times on the road.

Past Years
Kitchener has had the upper hand over the Attack in recent years. The Blueshirts went 5-1-2-0 in eight matchups last season, winning five times in regulation and picking up a point in seven-of-eight games. The Rangers have dominated on home ice over the past five season sporting a record of 12-3-1-0 at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium.

RANGERS ROUND UP (0-0-0-0)

Drafted Rangers:

The Kitchener Rangers have four NHL drafted prospects on their preseason roster. Alexander Bilecki (Toronto Maple Leafs) was selected in the second-round, 60th overall this past summer, along with newcomer, Charlie Puglisi (Nashville Predators) hearing his name called in the seventh-round, 202nd overall. Andrew MacNiel (Montreal Canadiens) and Luca Romano (New York Islanders) were both selected in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.

SCOUTING THE ATTACK (0-0-0-0) 

Drafted Attack:

The Owen Sound Attack roster features six drafted NHL prospects, with five forwards and one goalie. Four players heard their name called this past summer at the 2026 NHL Entry Draft. 2025 second-round import selection, Lucian Bernat (Vancouver Canucks), Pierce Mbuyi (Pittsburgh Penguins), Wesley Royston (Montreal Canadiens), and Cole Zurawski (Florida Panthers). Harry Nansi was selected in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs. Newly acquired goaltender from the Brantford Bulldogs was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in 2022.

Broadcast Coverage:
Friday’s game against the Owen Sound Attack will be televised on Rogers TV (Channel 20). It can be watched across the province of Ontario on the Super Sports Pak on channel 469 for cable subscribers. The game will be streamed live online on FloHockey. Additionally, fans can listen to Friday’s action on the radio on CKWR 98.5 FM.

UP NEXT:
After Friday’s game, the East Avenue Blue will complete their home-and-home set with the Owen Sound Attack tomorrow night at the Bayshore. Puck drop is set for 7:07 p.m. The Rangers return to the Aud for a Friday night matchup against the Erie Otters. Secure your tickets for all Kitchener Rangers games at The Aud Box Office sponsored by White Way Plumbing or online here.  

Don’t miss any Rangers updates throughout the season by following the club on Instagram, X and Facebook at @OHLRangers. Join the conversation on all things Rangers by using #RTown and #OHLRangers.

For media inquiries, contact:

Luca Lombardi 

Manager, Communications and Community Relations

Kitchener Rangers Hockey Club

(416) 885-4510

[email protected]