Rangers secure playoff spot with win over Sarnia

The Kitchener Rangers trailed briefly on Friday, but met resistance from the Sarnia Sting with even greater force as Carson Rehkopf racked up six points in a 7-3 win at the Aud, helping the Blueshirts secure a spot in the 2024 OHL Playoffs.

Kitchener becomes the fourth Western Conference team to clinch a playoff berth, following London, Saginaw and Sault Ste. Marie. The 36-19-2-0 Rangers have won five in a row and feature the league’s top goal-scorer in Rehkopf, who is up to 47 on the season following Friday’s result. Teammate Matthew Sop had two goals and an assist to give him 80 points (37-43–80) which make him the OHL’s top overage producer entering Saturday’s action.

Calgary Flames prospect Hunter Brzustewicz picked up two assists in Friday’s win, bringing him to within five of Jason Gladney’s 1993-94 Rangers record of 74 by a defenceman.

This will mark the ninth consecutive season the Rangers have qualified for the OHL Playoffs. Their last championship came in 2008, the same year Kitchener served as host of the Memorial Cup tournament.

The #NewWave becomes a #TitleWave 🌊
 
The #OHLRangers have clinched an #OHLPlayoffs spot with the win over Sarnia tonight!
 #Kitchener | #RTown pic.twitter.com/lI7p0HElgT

— Kitchener Rangers (@OHLRangers) February 24, 2024