Kitchener Rangers take Game 1 of 2026 OHL championship

Andrew MacNeil scored the game-winning goal for the Kitchener Rangers during Game 1 of the 2026 OHL championship series in Kitchener, Ont. on May 6, 2026. (Courtesy: TSN)

The Kitchener Rangers have an early lead on the OHL championship series after securing Game 1 with a 5 - 2 victory.

The Kitchener Rangers drew first blood with a goal from Andrew MacNeil 10 minutes and 45 seconds into the first period.

However, within the first 4 minutes of the second period, Ben Wilmott put the Barrie Colts on the board to draw even.

Dylan Edwards helped to blue shirts inch ahead once again, but a second goal from Wilmott knotted the score up at 2 apiece to end the second period.

Before the end of the period, Barrie’s Joe Salandra went down hard after he got caught up with Cameron Reid. Salandra stayed down as medical staff came out onto the ice. He was eventually stretchered off as his teammates came out and took a knee in support while Reid stayed close by.

Once the third period got underway, MacNeil came back for his second goal of the night, followed moments later by fellow Ranger Cameron Arquette who extended Kitchener’s lead to 4 – 2.

Sam O’Reilly added an empty netter to wrap up Game 1 5 – 2 in Kitchener’s favour.

The series continues on Friday at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium.