The Kitchener Rangers have won the opening game of the 2026 Memorial Cup from Prospera Place in Kelowna, British Columbia. On Friday, the Ontario Hockey League champion Rangers defeated the host Kelowna Rockets 5-0.
Christian Kirsch made 24 saves for the shutout. He made six saves in the first period, seven saves in the second period, and 11 saves in the third period.
Four Rangers players had a multi-point game. Centre Dylan Edwards of Toronto, Ontario and right winger Jack Pridham of Stouffville, Ontario each had one goal and one assist for two points. Meanwhile, defensemen Alexander Bilecki of Mississauga, Ontario, and Carson Campbell of Campbellford, Ontario had two assists each. The other three Rangers goal scorers were defenseman Jared Woolley of Oshawa, Ontario, right winger Sam O’Reilly of Toronto, and centre Haeden Ellis.
There is no doubt the Rockets looked very rusty in this game. They had not played a single game since April 17 when they lost 2-1 in overtime to the eventual Western Hockey League champion Everett Silvertips in game five of the Western Conference semifinals. That was a layoff of almost five weeks.
It will be interesting to see if the Rockets make a goaltending change. Josh Banini of Edmonton, Alberta made 53 saves in Kelowna’s last game of the WHL postseason.
