Game Preview: Saginaw Spirit (8) vs Kitchener Rangers (1) - Game 4
OHL Saginaw Spirit

Game Preview: Saginaw Spirit (8) vs Kitchener Rangers (1) - Game 4

Published on April 2, 2026 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


Saginaw, Mich. - The Saginaw Spirit (0-3) host the Kitchener Rangers (3-0) for Game 4 of their opening round playoff series on Thursday night at the Dow Event Center. The Spirit need a victory in order to continue their playoff run in 2026 as they trail the Rangers 3-0 in the series.

Tonight's Game:

Puck drop is at 7:05 pm.

Broadcast:

Radio: 100.5 FM WSGW, WSGW.com

TV: FloHockey

Series So Far (KIT leads 3-0):

The Rangers took Game 1 and Game 2 at home, with Sam O'Reilly scoring twice in Game 1 and having the game-winner in Game 2. Kitchener trailed late in Game 1, but a three-goal third period would give them a 6-4 win. Headed into Game 2, Christian Kirsch would shine with a 14-save shutout victory.

In their most recent matchup, the Spirit hosted the Rangers for Game 3 at the Dow Event Center. Nikita Klepov picked up his first OHL playoff goal, giving the Spirit a 3-2 lead in the third period, with Egor Barabanov picking up his second assist of the game. After a late goal from Gabriel Chiarot in the third to tie it, Luca Romano was the overtime hero for Kitchener to put them on the brink of an opening round sweep. Spirit goaltender Stepan Shurygin recorded just the fourth 50-save performance in team playoff history, stopping 50 of 54 Kitchener shots.

Players to Watch:

Overage defenseman James Guo scored his first goal of the series in Game 3, having a multi-point night in the 4-3 OT loss. Guo was named the third star of the game with a goal and an assist, and has now set a career high in playoff points with three (1G-2A) in three games against the Rangers this series.

Scoring in Tuesday night's matchup gave Nikita Klepov his first career OHL playoff goal and his second point of the game. The regular season point leader currently has four points (1G-3A) in three playoff games, and is tied with Egor Barabanov in points against the Rangers this postseason.

Saginaw's NHL-Drafted Players: Jacob Cloutier (WPG)

With an assist in Game 3, Christian Humphreys has taken the lead in points for the Rangers so far in this series. With two goals and four assists in three games, the Colorado Avalanche prospect is tied for seventh in points across the league in the playoffs. Humphreys had 85 (27G-58A) in 63 games this season, with two goals and three assists coming in four games against Saginaw.

Alexander Bilecki picked up his first career OHL playoff goal in Tuesday's matchup, giving him four points (1G-3A) in three games against Saginaw. The defenseman is tied for third across the OHL in points in the playoffs amongst defensemen. Bilecki had 29 points (9G-20A) in 66 games this season with the Rangers, setting a career high in points in his sophomore season.

Kitchener's NHL Drafted Players: Luke Ellinas (OTT), Gabriel Chiarot (VAN), Sam O'Reilly (TBL), Jack Pridham (CHI), Christian Humphreys (COL), Matthew Hlacar (TOR), Luca Romano (NYI), Cameron Reid (NSH), Andrew MacNeil (MTL), Christian Kirsch (SJ), Matthew Andonovski (OTT), Jared Woolley (LAK)

Check out the Saginaw Spirit Statistics

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from April 2, 2026


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