Game Preview: Rangers Take on Storm in First Highway 7 Rivalry Matchup
KITCHENER, ON – The Blueshirts are back in action Sunday afternoon as they travel to Guelph to take on the Storm at the Sleeman Centre. Kitchener enters Sunday’s matchup coming off a thrilling 4–3 overtime victory over the Saginaw Spirit on Friday night at The Aud. Sunday’s contest marks the first meeting between the Rangers and Storm this season. The Blueshirts will look to pick up another two points and continue its strong start to the season against a rival.
- TV: Rogers Channel 20 (Kitchener)
- Rogers Super Sports Pak Channel (Ontario)
- Video Stream: Live on FloHockey
- Radio: FM 985
- Live Stats
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Last Season/Recent Years
The Kitchener Rangers and Guelph Storm are set to renew their Highway 7 rivalry, with the two clubs looking to build on their recent history.
The Rangers dominated the season series in 2025–26, winning all four meetings against the Storm. The Blueshirts outscored Guelph 21–7 across those matchups, including a 6–1 victory in October and a 4–1 win in Guelph to close out the regular-season series.
Tonight’s matchup will be the first regular-season meeting between the Rangers and Storm this season. The two clubs are scheduled to meet four times during the 2026–27 campaign, with the next meeting coming on October 23rd at the Aud.
SCOUTING THE RANGERS:
The Kitchener Rangers enter Sunday afternoon’s matchup against the Guelph Storm riding a three-game winning streak after defeating the Saginaw Spirit 4–3 in overtime on Friday night. Kitchener currently sits at 4-2-0-0 through six games this season.
Luca Santala has quickly made an impact since joining the Rangers earlier this season. The 17-year-old forward scored both of Kitchener’s goals in the final minutes against Saginaw, tying the game with just 1:53 remaining in regulation before scoring the overtime winner only 10 seconds into the extra frame. Santala now has two goals and one assist through four games with Kitchener.
Tanner Lam has continued to lead the Rangers offensively early in the season, recording five goals and one assist for six points through five games. Cameron Arquette has added five points, while Avry Anstis and Alexander Bilecki have each recorded four points.
The Rangers have also received strong contributions throughout their lineup, with Luca Romano, Charlie Puglisi, Haeden Ellis and Jack LaBrash each recording three or more points to start the season. The Blueshirts will look to continue their three-game winning streak when they travel to Guelph on Sunday afternoon.
Drafted Rangers:
The Blueshirts enter Friday’s matchup with four NHL-drafted players on their roster, including two players selected in the 2026 NHL Draft. Alexander Bilecki was drafted in the second round, 60th overall, by the Toronto Maple Leafs. Charlie Puglisi was selected by the Nashville Predators in the seventh round, 202nd overall. The Rangers’ two other drafted players were selected in the 2025 NHL Draft. Luca Romano was selected by the New York Islanders in the third round, 74th overall while Andrew MacNiel was selected by the Montreal Canadiens in the sixth round, 189th overall.
SCOUTING THE STORM:
The Guelph Storm entered Sunday afternoon’s matchup looking to build off a 4–2 victory over the Windsor Spitfires in their most recent game. Guelph currently sits at 3-2-0-0 through five games this season.
Tyler Hopkins has led the way offensively for the Storm early in the season. The 19-year-old forward has recorded two goals and four assists for six points through five games.
Carter Stevens has also made an early impact for Guelph, recording four points through four games, while Ethan Czata has added three goals and three points in two games. Owen Griffin has recorded three points through two games, while Ryan Roobroeck has added two goals and two points in his first two games of the season. Guelph also announced Rowan Topp as the 35th captain in franchise history on Friday, with Grant Spada, Hopkins, Czata, Roobroeck and Griffin serving as assistant captains.
Guelph is coming off a playoff appearance last season, where the Storm were eliminated by the Barrie Colts in the second round. The Storm will look to earn another two points on home ice when they welcome the Rangers to the Sleeman Centre on Sunday afternoon.
Drafted Storm:
Guelph has ten NHL-drafted players. Six of the ten drafted players were selected in the 2026 NHL Draft: Ryan Roobroeck (CHI, 2nd) was picked 35th overall, Vladimir Dravecky (NYI, 5th) was picked 141st overall, Eric Frossard (ANA, 5th) was picked 146th overall, Carter Stevens (STL, 5th) was picked 150th overall, Zach Jovanovski (CAR, 6th) was picked 165th overall, and Rylan Singh (SEA, 7th) was picked 198th overall. The four players selected in the 2025 draft are Tyler Hopkins (TOR, 3rd) at 86th overall, Ethan Czata (TBL, 2nd) at 56th overall, and Grant Spada (TBL, 7th) at 212th overall.
Broadcast Coverage: This game will be televised on Rogers TV (Channel 20). It can be watched across the province of Ontario on the Super Sports Pak on channel 4 for cable subscribers. The game will be streamed live online on FloHockey. Additionally, fans can listen to action on the radio on FM 985.
UP NEXT: The Rangers will continue their road trip facing Flint (Oct 7th), Sault Ste. Marie (Oct 9th), and finally ending in Saginaw (Oct 10).
For media inquiries, contact:
Jack Larmer
Coordinator, Communications and Team Services
Kitchener Rangers Hockey Club
(705)-994-4415
jlarmer@kitchener.com
