Rangers travel to Barrie two wins away from glory
Posted May 10, 2026 06:17:45 AM.
Last Updated May 10, 2026 05:04:00 PM.
They say playoff series do not start until a home team loses, so the Kitchener Rangers will be hoping the OHL Finals “begin” tonight.
The Barrie Colts welcome the Blueshirts on Sunday, May 10, for game 3 of the OHL Finals, a series that looks eerily similar to Barrie’s semi-finals series vs. Brantford. The Brantford Bulldogs won both games 1 and 2 at home against Barrie in the Eastern Conference Finals, a series that Barrie came back to win in 7 games.
Kitchener’s offense has travelled well in the 2026 playoffs thus far, averaging 3.75 goals per game, narrowly above Barrie’s home average of 3.33 goals per game in these playoffs.
Only two of those games were against Colts goaltender Ben Hrebik though, and he will likely be the x-factor in game 3, as he was in game 4. Hrebik led the OHL in saves per game in the 2026 regular season, and that form carried over to the finals, as he stopped 55 of the 59 shots he faced en route to Friday’s 4-3 loss for Barrie.
The top stars on both Kitchener and Barrie’s top lines was the story of the series, as offensive firepower is what has allowed for Kitchener’s playoff dominance, and the Colts’ ability to fight back no matter the series deficit.
The Colts have two first-liners on six-game point streaks dating back to game 3 vs. Brantford, those being Kashawn Aitcheson and Emil Hemming. Aitcheson, in particular, is one to watch, as his game-tying goal with the 3 seconds to go in regulation is what sent game 2 to the hotly contested overtime.
The Rangers’ top talents have not slowed down against better and better competition either, as Christian Humphreys comes into game 3 on an active five-game point streak, dating back to game 3 vs. Windsor. After winning the Red Tilson Trophy for the OHL’s most outstanding player, Sam O’Reilly’s team-leading 24 points in these playoffs may also make him a favourite for the Wayne Gretzky 99 Award for OHL playoffs MVP.
Another contender for that award could be Blueshirts’ goaltender Christian Kirsch, who enters game 3 with a 14-2 record in the playoffs, with a competitive 2.36 goals against average. The road portions of the OHL finals will likely be the most pressure ever placed on the 19-year-old goaltender’s shoulders, but if he answers the call, it may put him on the radar of the San Jose Sharks NHL franchise, as they drafted him in the fourth round of the 2024 NHL entry draft.
A likely season record-setting number of fans will file into Sadlon Arena for game 3, and 570 News Radio will have all the coverage for fans who cannot make it to the game in person. Tune in at 5:30 p.m. for the pre-game show hosted by Mike Farwell and Josh Piercey. Coverage of the full game will start shortly after, puck drop at 6 p.m. in Barrie.
