Windsor Spitfires not taking Kitchener Rangers for granted
In hockey, when a top seed faces the lowest seed in the bracket, the odds of a series victory are on their side.
However, the Windsor Spitfires are not overlooking the Kitchener Rangers.
“They're a lot better team than shows in the standings,” said veteran defenceman Michael Renwick.
The Kitchener Rangers are the 8th seed, but their second half record speaks for itself.
Since making a coaching change in February, the Rangers won 12 of their last 21 games — earning 28 points.
The Spits won 10 out of 18 games during the same stretch for 22 points.
“There's no underdog here,” said Spits head coach Marc Savard. “We're both good hockey teams. It's gonna be a good battle and we expect that from them.”
Windsor heads into the series shorthanded with defenceman Rodwin Dionicio out serving the first of his two-game suspension. Also out are Ryan Abraham and AJ Spellacy.
“Losing Roddy is tough,” Renwick said. “He does a lot of good stuff for us on the powerplay and stuff like that. We're just going to have to adapt. We got some good call ups coming in with Woodall. He's done real well.”
Carson Woodall is available because the LaSalle Vipers were recently knocked out of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League (GOJHL) playoffs.
“We'd love to be in LaSalle and compete for a Sutherland but we got out and ended up here and now we're going to try and make a long playoff run with the Spitfires,” Woodall said.
The Spits lost over 160 player games due to injuries, and have relied on LaSalle players like Cole Davis, Ethan Martin, NicK Graniero and Patrick McManus to fill the voids.
“I appreciate the call up, the opportunity,” said McManus. “It's a great experience playing in front of the Windsor crowd especially.”
The Spits recognize what the LaSalle players have brought to the rink.
“We're real happy with the way our Vipers have come in,” said team captain Matthew Maggio. “I felt Woody and Davis have come and they've been sturdy and then McManus obviously brings an unbelievable spark for us.”
As the young Vipers enter their first OHL playoff run, Maggio embraces his final crack at helping Windsor win its first OHL title since 2010.
“I'm gonna do everything in my power to make sure this team keeps playing and I get to come out and keep playing in front of these fans for as long as I can,” he said. “Hopefully that's all the way to the finals.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.