Spirit Unable to Hold off Rangers in Game 4, See Season Come to an End
OHL Saginaw Spirit

Spirit Unable to Hold off Rangers in Game 4, See Season Come to an End

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


Saginaw Spirit defenseman James Guo shakes hands with the Kitchener Rangers
Saginaw Spirit defenseman James Guo shakes hands with the Kitchener Rangers
(Saginaw Spirit)

Saginaw, Mich. - The Saginaw Spirit hosted the Kitchener Rangers at the Dow Event Center on Thursday night for Game 4 of the OHL playoffs. Facing a 3-0 deficit headed into the game, the Spirit's season was on the line in a must-win Game 4. The Rangers would rally for four goals straight in the first two periods, and despite a late second-period goal from Dima Zhilkin, the Kitchener Rangers would eliminate Saginaw in a 5-1 Game 4 win.

Sam O'Reilly opened the scoring for the third time this series on the breakaway, scoring his fourth of the playoffs on a wrist shot. O'Reilly blocked a shot for the breakaway, scoring unassisted at 6:39 to make it 1-0 for Kitchener.

The Rangers extended their lead late in the first with Dylan Edwards scoring his first post-season goal blocker side from the left circle. Cameron Arquette had the primary assist, and Carson Campbell picked off a pass in the neutral zone for an odd-man rush for the secondary assist to make it 2-0 in favor of the Rangers at 13:25.

With 14.4 seconds left in the period, Dylan Edwards scored his second of the period on the power play, driving the net and maneuvering past Stepan Shuryin. Jack Pridham and Cameron Reid picked up the assists as the Rangers took a three-goal lead into the second.

After 1: SAG 0 - 3 KIT (Total Shots:4 - 26)

Christian Humphreys extended the lead for the Rangers after he fired in a shot down near the goal line over the shoulder of Shurygin for his third of the series. Luca Romano picked up the assist on the rush, giving the Rangers a 4-0 lead at 17:42.

Just 47 seconds later, Dima Zhilkin put the Spirit on the board on the power play, tipping in a pass from Nikita Klepov at the back door for his third of the playoffs. Carson Harmer picked up the secondary assist as the Spirit trailed 4-1 at 18:29.

After 2: SAG 1 - 4 KIT (2nd period shots: 6 - 8 Total shots: 10 - 34)

With the net empty, Christian Humphreys picked up his second of the game after he broke loose to ice the game and the series for Kitchener. Jack Pridham picked up the assist for his second point of the game, as the Rangers led 5-1 at 14:33.

Final: SAG 1 - 5 KIT (3rd period shots 4 - 8, Total shots 14 - 42)

Powerplays: SAG 1/5 KIT 1/4

Goaltenders: SAG: Stepan Shurygin (34 saves, 39 shots) KIT: Christian Kirsch (21 saves, 25 shots)

With a loss tonight, the Saginaw Spirit are eliminated from the OHL playoffs. They hold onto the 6th overall pick in the OHL Priority Selection, which is set on June 12-13th in Kingston.

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Images from this story

Saginaw Spirit defenseman James Guo shakes hands with the Kitchener Rangers
Saginaw Spirit defenseman James Guo shakes hands with the Kitchener Rangers
   



Ontario Hockey League Stories from April 2, 2026


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