Kitchener Rangers take Game 1 in OHL Championship

Over 7-thousand fans packed the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Wednesday night as, for the first time in nearly two-decades, the OHL Championship returned to Kitchener.

And the Kitchener Rangers didn’t disappoint.

A 5-2 victory over the Barrie Colts puts the Rangers up 1-0 in the best-of-seven series.

Two of the Rangers goals, came from a player you wouldn’t expect.

Usually known for his strength on the blueline, Andrew MacNiel would find the back of the net twice, including the game winning goal.

MacNiel scored only twice during the regular season.

Rangers Assistant Coach Brad Flynn on MacNiel’s performance.

“Tough to find a hockey player that I have come across in my time coaching that loves the game as much as him and loves his teammates. When you love the game, it will love you back,” said MacNiel.

“He has an amazing attitude, he is a hard worker, he is a great role model for young players.”

Game 2 comes back to the Aud on Friday night, with another tough match-up expected.

‘It’s going to be really hard, and the hard is what makes it great. We are ready to embrace that and we just wanna make sure that we show up and play our kind of hockey.”

Games 3 and 4 will be in Barrie on Sunday and Tuesday.

The full schedule can be read here.

All games can be heard live on 570 NewsRadio.

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