Series HQ: Kitchener Rangers vs. Soo Greyhounds

Game 5 – Soo Greyhounds 1 at Kitchener Rangers 5

• Sam O’Reilly had a pair of empty net goals and added two assists.
• Dylan Edwards and Jared Woolley both had a goal and an assist.
• Christian Kirsch stopped 15 of the 16 shots he faced.
• Quinn McKenzie had the lone goal for the Soo.

Game Centre

Game 4 – Kitchener Rangers 2 at Soo Greyhounds 4

• Jordan Charron scored twice and went +3 to cue the comeback.
• Callum Croskery had two assists in the win.
• Carter George made 20 saves to get his first win of the series.
• Cameron Arquette and Matthew Hlacar each scored for Kitchener.

Game Centre

Game 3 – Kitchener Rangers 4 at Soo Greyhounds 3

• Dylan Edwards scored his first career playoff hat-trick, which included the game-winning goal
• Brady Martin had a pair of points with his 3rd goal of the playoffs and a powerplay assist
• Chase Reid scored one on the powerplay, while adding two assists for the Greyhounds
• Jack Pridham picked up two primary assists on a pair of Dylan Edwards goals

Game Centre

Game 2 – Soo Greyhounds 5 at Kitchener Rangers 8

• Sam O’Reilly recorded his first career playoff hat-trick.
• Dylan Edwards scored twice, including the eventual game winner.
• Cameron Reid and Jack Pridham each had three assists.
• Marco Mignosa had a four point game in the loss.

Game Centre

Game 1 – Soo Greyhounds 1 at Kitchener Rangers 3

• Christian Kirsch was nearly perfect in the Rangers’ crease, stopping 27/28 in the win
• Haeden Ellis scored his first two career playoff goals, including the game winner
• Quinn McKenzie scored the lone Greyhounds’ goal in the loss
• Sam O’Reilly sealed the game late with an empty net goal in the dying seconds

Game Centre

 

(1) Kitchener Rangers (47-14-5-2) vs. (5) Soo Greyhounds (39-23-1-5)

The Western Conference semifinals bring together the top seed and a dangerous underdog, as the Kitchener Rangers host the Soo Greyhounds in what could be a series full of surprises. On paper, Kitchener is the clear favourite, but the Greyhounds have already proven this postseason that they are not to be underestimated, and the history between these two clubs suggests this series could be closer than the seedings imply.

The season series belongs to the Soo, who edged out Kitchener three games to one. Two of those wins came in overtime, and the Greyhounds are also one of only two teams to have shut out the Rangers during the regular season. Those are not the kinds of numbers that inspire confidence for Kitchener, and they serve as a reminder that the Rangers will need to be at their best from the opening puck drop.

Kitchener arrives in excellent form, having swept the Saginaw Spirit in the first round, and will open this series at home, where they have been virtually unbeatable, going 15-1 in their last 16 games at their own barn. Jack Pridham, who was recently named OHL Overage Player of the Year, has continued his productivity with five points in the postseason. The Rangers will also lean on the veteran presence of Christian Humphreys, who leads the club with nine points, as well as Sam O’Reilly and Dylan Edwards, each sitting at five. One of Kitchener’s most dangerous weapons throughout the regular season was their shorthanded game, where they scored a league-leading 19 goals, with Pridham and O’Reilly combining for 13 of them. While that threat did not materialize in the first round, it remains something the Greyhounds will need to be mindful of every time they go on the power play. Between the pipes, Christian Kirsch has been solid throughout, coming up with timely saves in close games when the Rangers needed him most. This group also knows what it takes to turn things around if needed, having reverse-swept Windsor in the second round just a year ago, and that playoff experience could be invaluable as the series wears on.

The Greyhounds come in having dispatched the reigning Memorial Cup Champions, the London Knights, in five games, a result that speaks less to a shocking upset and more to a Greyhounds team that was simply ready for the moment against a Knights squad with plenty of playoff pedigree. Their game is built on balanced scoring, speed, and puck movement from the back end, which is anchored by 2026 NHL Draft prospect Chase Reid, who provides that offensive push from behind the play. Up front, Marco Mignosa leads the club with 10 points, while captain Brady Martin, returning from injury, has already contributed seven in the first round. The Greyhounds also bring a strong penalty kill into this matchup, which could prove critical against a Kitchener power play that opposing teams have struggled to contain. But perhaps the most compelling storyline for Soo is in goal. Carter George has long been regarded as one of the best goaltenders in the league, and he is finally making it out of the first round. Many expect him to have the edge in this goaltending matchup, and if he can replicate the form that made him so dangerous in the regular season, the Greyhounds have the pieces to make this a very long series for Kitchener.

 

Ultimately, the Rangers hold the edge in the standings and on home ice, but the Greyhounds have shown they can play with anyone. With a goaltender capable of stealing games and the confidence of a team that has already beaten Kitchener three times this season, the Soo arrive ready to make some noise in the second round.

 

Series Schedule:

* if needed

Game 1 – Fri., April 10 at Kitchener, 7:00pm

Game 2 – Sun., April 12 at Kitchener, 7:00pm

Game 3 – Tues., April 14 at Sault Ste. Marie, 7:07pm

Game 4 – Thurs., April 16 at Sault Ste. Marie, 7:07pm

Game 5 – Fri., April 17 at Kitchener, 7:00pm*

Game 6 – Sun., April 19 at Sault Ste. Marie, 7:07pm*

Game 7 – Tues., April 21 at Kitchener, 7:00pm*

 

Season Series:

Soo wins 3-1

Oct. 10 – KIT 4 at SOO 5 – OT

Nov. 14 – SOO 4 at KIT 0

Dec. 10 – KIT 2 at SOO 3 – OT

Mar. 6 – SOO 0 at KIT 3

 

Playoff History:

This marks the sixth time that Kitchener and Soo have met in the OHL Playoffs. 

2018 SOO def. KIT 4-3 – Third Round, 2008 KIT def. SOO 4-1 – Third Round, 2003 KIT def. SOO 4-0 – First Round, 2000 SOO def. KIT 4-1 – First Round, 1992 SOO def. KIT 4-3 First Round.