Game Preview: Saginaw Spirit visits Kitchener Rangers for a Repeat of the 2025-26 Western Conference First Round
KITCHENER, ON – The Kitchener Rangers return to The Aud on Friday for Oktoberfest Night at the Aud as they welcome the Saginaw Spirit for the first meeting between the two clubs since their opening-round playoff series last spring. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. The Rangers enter Friday’s matchup with a 3-2-0-0 record after earning their first home victory of the season on Sunday, defeating the Kingston Frontenacs 6-3. Saginaw is looking to get back in the win column following a loss to the Windsor Spitfires last weekend; the club holds a record of 1-2-1-0.
- TV: Rogers Channel 20 (Kitchener)
- Rogers Super Sports Pak Channel (Ontario)
- Video Stream: Live on FloHockey
- Radio: FM 985
- Live Stats
OKTOBERFEST AT THE AUD
One of Waterloo Region’s favourite traditions takes over The Aud Friday night as the Rangers celebrate Oktoberfest Night. Onkel Hans, Tante Frieda and members of the Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest team will join the festivities, including a ceremonial puck drop, with Oktoberfest-themed entertainment, activations, T-Shirts designed by Civilian Screen Printing, games and prizes taking place throughout the night. Fans are encouraged to wear their Oktoberfest gear, lederhosen and dirndls and join us for a night of hockey and Gemütlichkeit.
The Rangers are also proud to support the Onkel Hans Food Drive Stuff-a-Bus in support of the Food Bank of Waterloo Region. Fans are encouraged to bring non-perishable food donations to the game. A GRT bus will be parked outside Entrance 13 at the Box Office doors, with additional collection boxes available at every entrance to The Aud.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Blueshirts and Saginaw met in the opening round of the 2026 OHL Playoffs, with the Rangers sweeping the Spirit in four games. Kitchener and Saginaw have developed a competitive matchup in recent seasons, with both clubs having made an impact in the Western Conference. In their last ten games against each other, the Rangers have the slight edge, as they stand at a 9-5-2-0 record. Friday’s matchup will be the first regular-season meeting between the two clubs this season. The Rangers and Spirit are scheduled to meet four times during the 2026-27 campaign; following tonight’s game, the clubs will meet at the Dow Event Center for their next matchup on October 10.
SCOUTING THE RANGERS:
The Rangers are coming off a thrilling 6-3 victory over the Kingston Frontenacs Sunday night. The Blueshirts found themselves trailing 3-2 midway through the second period before scoring four unanswered goals to close out the game and secure their first home win of the season.
The victory capped off a successful three-game weekend for Kitchener, who picked up five of a possible six points. The Rangers opened the weekend with a 5-3 loss to Erie before battling back from a 3-0 deficit in Erie on Saturday to earn a 4-3 overtime victory. Lam provided the heroics in that contest, scoring the overtime winner to complete the comeback.
Tanner Lam is tonight’s player to watch. The 19-year-old winger is in his 4th season with the Rangers and is currently leading the team in both points (6) and goals (5). His 5 markers this year are also good enough to be tied for 2nd in the league, only trailing Ryan Kaczynski of the Soo Greyhounds. Lam has recorded multi-point efforts in 3 of the clubs’ 5 games this year.
Drafted Rangers:
The Blue shirts 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 SPIRIT
The Saginaw Spirit enter Friday night’s matchup looking to get back into the win column after dropping a 6-3 decision to the Windsor Spitfires in their most recent game. Saginaw currently sits at 1-2-1-0 through four games this season.
Captain Dima Zhilkin has led the way offensively for the Spirit early in the season. The 17-year-old forward has recorded four goals and four assists for eight points in four games, averaging two points per game. Zhilkin enters his third OHL season after posting 75 points in 59 games last season and is considered one of the top prospects eligible for the 2027 NHL Draft.
Braidy Wassilyn has also made an early impact for Saginaw after being acquired by the London Knights. He has recorded four goals and four assists through four games. Brody Pepoy and Dmitry Savin have each added five points, with Savin recording two goals and three assists.
The Spirit are looking to build around a young core led by Zhilkin, with the team entering the season after making the playoffs last year before being eliminated by Kitchener in the opening round.
Drafted Spirit:
Saginaw has four NHL-drafted players. Three of the four drafted players were drafted in 2026: Brady Knowling (SJS, 4th) was picked 127th overall, Brody Pepoy (TOR, 6th) was picked 169th overall, and Stepan Shurygin (TBL, 6th) was selected 186th overall. The 2025 draft pick was Jacob Cloutier, who was picked in the 7th Round, 220th overall, by the Winnipeg Jets.
Rangers Reach: Rangers Reach is back for another exciting season of great Rangers hockey and HUGE JACKPOTS! You could be the next winner of our Jackpot draw or consolation prize draw of a $200 The Keg Waterloo Gift Card!
Buy now! Or text WIN to 95050 (Std Msg & Data Rates may apply).
Also, back for another season is the Rangers Reach Authentic Jersey Raffle!
In addition to our Authentic Jersey main prize, we’ve added a consolation prize of a Special Issue RANGERS Jersey to the draw! Each ticket purchase now has a chance to win one of TWO prizes!
Get your tickets online or on the concourse at tonight’s game!
Rangers Reach 50/50 supports local minor sports organizations, numerous social agencies, charities, and education-related programs. Proceeds from Rangers Reach 50/50 also help support our community.
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: Following the matchup at home, the Rangers will go on a four-game road trip facing Guelph (Oct 4th), Flint (Oct 7th), Sault Ste. Marie (Oct 9th), and finally ending in Saginaw (Oct 10).
