Rangers push Firebirds to the edge of elimination, return home for Game 5

The Kitchener Rangers are preparing for an all-important Game 5 on Friday night against the Flint Firebirds, with a ticket to the second round of the OHL playoffs on the line.

On Thursday night, the Blueshirts’ offence exploded with five goals from five different players to earn an impressive 5-1 win over the Firebirds.

Rangers forward Trent Swick picked up a goal and two assists to add to his series-leading tally of nine points.

“In the end, the differential in penalties was Kitchener had seven powerplays and was able to generate two powerplay goals, including Matthew Hlacer right at the end of the game, only took three penalties, and were three-for-three on the penalty kill,” said 570’s Colour Commentator Paul Fixter.

The Rangers’ rivals, the London Knights, swept the Owen Sound Attack with a win in Game 4 on Thursday night and are the first Eastern Conference team to advance to the next round.

The series so far

Kitchener Rangers in Michigan for Game 3 against Firebirds

The Kitchener Rangers will look to push their opponents to the edge of elimination in Michigan on Tuesday night. The Blueshirts currently hold a 2-0 series lead over the Flint Firebirds in the first…

Kitchener Rangers look to extend series lead against Flint in Game 2

The Kitchener Rangers welcome the Flint Firebirds back to the Aud for game two of their first round series on Sunday. The Rangers are coming off a thrilling game one overtime win on Friday, which saw…

Kitchener Rangers kick off playoff run at The Aud with Game 1 against Flint

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. The Kitchener Rangers kick off their quest to be crowned the kings of junior hockey on Friday night at The Aud with the first game in a seven-game series against…

Kitchener Rangers shut out by red-hot goalie in Flint; forcing Game 5

The Kitchener Rangers were stonewalled by a hot goalie in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Flint Firebirds, as the underdogs forced their way into the series with a 2-0 win in Michigan…

It is a quick turnaround for the Rangers and Firebirds, as both teams had less than 24 hours to pack up their gear, make the three-and-a-half hour road trip from Michigan to Kitchener, and prepare for Friday’s game.

If the Rangers fail to win on Friday, they’ll head back to Flint for Game 6 on Sunday at 4 p.m.

All of Friday’s action can be heard on 570 NewsRadio with Mike Farwell and Paul Fixter. The pregame show starts at 6:30 p.m.