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
NEW Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
NEW Life got in the way of one woman's reunion with her father, but a DNA test gained her a family
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Quebec farmers have been protesting since December. Is anyone listening?
Upset about high interest rates, growing paperwork and heavy regulatory burdens, protesting farmers have become a familiar sight across Quebec since December.
'Catch-and-kill' strategy to be a focus as testimony resumes in Trump hush money case
A veteran tabloid publisher was expected to return to the witness stand Tuesday in Donald Trump's historic hush money trial.
Quebec Health Department reports 28 cases of eye damage linked to solar eclipse
Quebec's Health Department says it has received 28 reports of eye damage related to the April 8 total solar eclipse that passed over southern parts of the province.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.