The Kitchener Rangers kicked off the Memorial Cup with authority on Saturday night, cruising to a decisive victory over the host Kelowna Rockets in front of a passionate crowd at Prospera Place. The evening began with a special touch as former Rockets defenseman and Stanley Cup champion Duncan Keith dropped the ceremonial opening puck, bridging the franchise’s proud past with the present. From there, the Rangers wasted little time asserting themselves, with Edwards opening the scoring just 4:38 into the first period on a clever bank shot. Kitchener steadily built a commanding lead, highlighted by Woolley’s power move late in the second and Pridham’s highlight-reel third goal, while the game’s first fight between Woolley and Dawson Gerwing added a fiery physical edge to an otherwise one-sided affair.
20 year old Quinnipiac commit Dylan Edwards makes it a 1-0 game for the Rangers at 4:38 of the first period. The assists on the goal went to Carson Campbell and former London Knight Sam O’Reilly.-Edwards opened the scoring for the tournament at 4:38 of the first period. He took a shot from basically the goal line and banked it in off Boettiger’s arm after Carson Campbell’s initial attempt had gone wide.
The first fight of the game broke out late in the opening period when Kitchener’s Jared Woolley and Kelowna’s Dawson Gerwing dropped the gloves with about 6:24 remaining. The two big defensemen exchanged punches in front of the crowd at Prospera Place, sparking plenty of energy in the building before they were separated. Woolley, listed at 6-foot-5, held his own in the scrap, which ended with both players heading to the box.
Shots on goal in the first period were 14-6 for the Kitchener Rangers
6’5 216 former London Knight Jared Wooley, who is playing in his third straight Memorial Cup makes it 2-0 Rangers at 17:33 of the second period. The assist on the goal went to former West Kelowna Warrior Jack Pridham.–Kitchener pushed their lead to 2-0 late in the second period when Woolley pinched down low and buried a pass from Pridham behind the net. It was Woolley’s first point of the tournament, coming in his 10th career Memorial Cup game.
Shots on goal in the second period were 17-7 for the Rangers
Nate Corbet and Carson Campbell with an absolute SLUGFEST after a big hit on Mazden Leslie. Earlier it looked like Corbet was willing to go with anyone on the ice. How there was no instigator on this fight for a clean hit is beyond me 🤣
20 year old Boston University Commit Jack Pridham makes it 3-0 for the Rangers at 11:32 of the third period. The assists on the goal went to New York Islanders 2025 third round pick Luca Romano and Carson Campbell.–Pridham added the Rangers’ third goal at 11:32, getting in behind the Rockets’ defense and beating Boettiger glove side with a wrist shot.
World Junior Bronze medalist Sam O’Reilly makes it 4-0 for the Rangers at 12:54 of the third period. The assists on the goal went to former Erie Otter Dylan Edwards and Mississauga, Ontario native Alexander Bilecki.–O’Reilly made it four only 1:22 later when his backhander ensured he scored in his third straight Memorial Cup.
Haeden Ellis, the son of former NHLer Matt Ellis deflects a shot into the net at 14:14 of the third period to make it a 5-0 game. The helpers on the goal went to Alexander Bilecki and University of Minnesota commit Christian Humphries.–Ellis completed the scoring with 5:46 left in regulation when Alexander Bilecki’s shot hit him as he drove to the crease.
Shots on goal in the third period were 11-8 for Kelowna. Kitchener outshot the Kelowna Rockets 39-24 in the game.
2024 San Jose Sharks 4th rounder Christian Kirsch stopped all 24 shots that he faced for the shutout win for the Rangers. For the Kelowna Rockets University of Denver commit and Wheat Ridge, Colorado native Harrison Boettiger made 34 saves on the 39 shots that he faced
Star of the game was Kitchener Rangers Jack Pridham
Attendance in Kelowna was 6007
Next game at the Memorial Cup is Saturday May 23rd when the Everett Silvertips face the Chicoutimi Saguenéens
