The Kitchener Rangers are yet to see the best of the Windsor Spitfires, according to the Spitfires' camp, as the two teams prepare to clash in the OHL Western Conference final for the fourth time in five seasons.
For several members of the Spitfires, this marks the third playoff meeting in the last four years and the fourth overall between the clubs in five campaigns. The second-seeded Spitfires will hit the road Friday to open the best-of-seven series against the top-seeded Kitchener Rangers.
Past Playoff Disappointments
In 2023, the Spitfires faced a first-round upset due to injuries and a key suspension. A year ago, Windsor had as many as nine players out of the lineup during the playoffs. Despite miraculously taking the first three games of the series, the club ultimately fell in seven games.
Spitfires' overage goalie Joey Costanzo expressed confidence, saying, "I think they're a great club, but they haven't seen our best either, and we're looking forward to showing it."
Revenge Not a Motivator
While last year's series loss was disappointing, and the 2023 series saw six current club members as youngsters, players are not haunted by the past. Spitfires' captain Liam Greentree emphasized focusing on the present.
"I don't want to use that as an excuse to make myself feel better," Greentree said. "I want to use those series to help me with this one. I think, for me, it's making sure this team in the locker room today is healthy and going and dialed in."
Greentree, who missed time in last year's playoffs and needed off-season wrist surgery, is focused on moving forward. "There's some bad blood there for sure," he added. "I just want to win. It's been a long time with Windsor, and I want nothing more than to bring home a Memorial Cup with this team. An OHL championship is my goal, and Kitchener is standing in the way of that."
Injury Updates
Both clubs are dealing with notable absences heading into the series. For Windsor, forwards Ethan Belchetz and Beks Makysh remain day-to-day. Belchetz suffered a broken left clavicle last month and has been out for the playoffs, while Makysh, ninth in OHL rookie scoring, has been sidelined since a leg injury in Game 2 of the first round against Guelph.
"They're both skating," Spitfires' head coach Greg Walters said.
On the Rangers' side, forward Luke Ellinas, who had shoulder surgery in November, has been cleared for contact in practice. Defenceman Andrew MacNiel, a Montreal Canadiens' prospect, returned for the series-clinching win over Sault Ste. Marie in the second round after being out with a lower-body injury since February.
The series promises intense competition as both teams vie for a spot in the OHL championship and a chance at the Memorial Cup.
