The Kitchener Rangers and Windsor Spitfires face off in a crucial Game 7 after Kitchener's decisive 4-0 victory in Game 6 leveled the series. This winner-take-all matchup occurs at the WFCU Centre on Tuesday, with game time at 7:05 p.m. The Rangers will rely on standout players like Luke Ellinas and Jack Pridham, while the Spitfires will look to turn the tides with key contributions from forwards like Liam Greentree.
By the Numbers: Luke Ellinas has recorded 11 points in 9 playoff games, second on the Rangers. Joey Costanzo holds a 2.36 goals-against average in the playoffs, with a 7-3-1 record. The series is tied 3-3, with each team having won three games. Kitchener has shut out Windsor twice in the series, showcasing solid defensive play.
Following Game 7, the winner will advance to the Western Conference Final, with both teams eager to continue their playoff journey. The performance of key players and goaltenders will be crucial in determining the outcome.
Tonight's matchup is a pivotal showdown that will hinge on individual performances and effective goaltending, making it essential for fans to support their teams as they vie for a spot in the next round.
Windsor, ON – After shutting out the Windsor Spitfires for the second time in three games, the Rangers have forced a winner-take-all Game 7 at WFCU Centre on Tuesday. Puck drop is set for 7:05 p.m. Fans can catch the game on RogersTV Channel 20 (Kitchener) or Rogers Super Sports Pak Channel 469 (Ontario), and it will also be streamed on OHL Live on CHL TV.
In Game 6, the Rangers evened their second-round series against the Spitfires, 3-3, with a 4-0 victory on home ice. Following a scoreless first period, Cameron Mercer opened the scoring for Kitchener, securing the game-winning goal with his second of the series and the playoffs. Just six minutes later, Jack Pridham (Chicago Blackhawks) was hauled down on a near breakaway, prompting a penalty shot, in which he made no mistake to double the Rangers’ lead heading to the final frame. In the third, Pridham secured his second goal off a nifty pass from Luke Ellinas (Ottawa Senators), before Andrew Vermeulen sealed the deal with under three minutes to play for a 4-0 Rangers victory. Cameron Arquette and Ellinas each registered two assists while Vermeulen picked up a lone helper.
The Rangers have a lot to prove in this decisive game, especially with players like Luke Ellinas, who has been on a tear since returning to the lineup. Ellinas has recorded at least a point in all four appearances against Windsor, totaling four goals, three assists, and seven points. In the 2025 OHL Playoffs, he has 11 points in nine games, tied for first in assists (7) and second among Rangers skaters in the postseason.
Jack Pridham continued his dominance in Game 6 with another pair of goals, marking his second multi-goal night of the playoffs. Pridham has three goals, one assist, and four points in his last two games against Windsor. After going scoreless in the opening two contests of the second-round series, Pridham has now picked up at least a point in three of his last four games. Tied for first in goals (6) and third in playoff points (10) on the Rangers, he’ll look to push the pace again in Game 7.
Goaltending will be a crucial factor in the outcome of the game. Jackson Parsons has flipped a switch, registering his second shutout on Sunday in his last three games against Windsor. The netminder has allowed just two goals over that three-game span. Parsons was sensational on home ice in Game 6, stopping all 29 shots that came his way. Through 11 games in the 2025 OHL Playoffs, Parsons holds a 7-4-0 record, a 2.26 goals-against average, and a .911 save percentage.
On the other side, the Spitfires are looking to bounce back after a tough loss in Game 6. Though he did not put up any points, AJ Spellacy returned to action in Game 6 for just his fourth postseason appearance. Spellacy has played in two games in the second-round series against Kitchener, yet to get on the scoresheet. However, in round one, Spellacy had one goal, two assists, and three points in two games. As the Spitfires gear up for a do-or-die Game 7 on home ice, the Chicago Blackhawks prospect is a player to watch, especially if he can rediscover the scoring touch he brought in the opening round.
Liam Greentree, who returned to the lineup for Game 6, is another key player for Windsor. He recorded three shots on goal but failed to register a point. Greentree had a notable nine points (7G, 2A) in three games to open the series and leads the Spitfires in postseason goals (14), ranking second in assists (24). If there is any player to be on the lookout for in Game 7, it’s Windsor captain Greentree, who they expect will rise to the occasion and deliver in the biggest game of their season.
Goaltender Joey Costanzo, despite dropping his third straight loss, gave Windsor a chance in the crease in Game 6, turning aside 27 of 31 shots and posting a .871 save percentage. In 11 postseason games this year, Costanzo has a 7-3-1 record, a 2.36 goals-against average, and a .908 save percentage. With a must-win Game 7 on the horizon, Costanzo will look to outduel Parsons and win the goalie battle on home ice.
The stage is set for a thrilling conclusion to this playoff series. The Kitchener Rangers have clawed their way back from a 3-0 series deficit to tie the series at 3-3, and they are poised to make history if they can complete the comeback. Only five teams in the OHL's history have trailed 3-0 in a playoff series and gone on to win. The Windsor Spitfires have done it twice, and they will aim to draw upon their past experiences to fend off the Rangers’ momentum.
As fans prepare for the final showdown, anticipation is palpable. The winner of Game 7 will advance to the Western Conference Final, where they will face the London Knights, who swept the Erie Otters in four games. With both teams eager to continue their playoff journeys, tonight's match promises to be a thrilling contest that will be remembered for years to come.
Fans are encouraged to support their teams, whether in person at the WFCU Centre or through the various broadcast options available. The excitement surrounding this Game 7 is undeniable, and both teams are ready to leave it all on the ice in pursuit of victory.
