OHL Round 3: 3 Takeaways From Spitfires’ 4-2 Game 3 Win vs Rangers – The Hockey Writers –

The Windsor Spitfires needed to make a statement on Monday… and they did. After falling behind 2-0 to the Kitchener Rangers in their third-round Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Western Conference playoff series, they earned an important win at home in Game 3.

Coming into this series, the conference’s second-seeded Spitfires had been pretty high on life. They went 7-1-1-1 in their final 10 regular season games, then added sweeps in the first two rounds of the playoffs. However, they ran into the top-seeded Rangers who gave them issues all season and this series has been no different. After the Rangers won Games 1 and 2 at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium by a goal each, the series shifted back to the WFCU Centre and the Spitfires showed their true colours. Here are three takeaways from Game 3.

Spitfires’ Depth Shines

While the Rangers entered winning six-straight playoff games between the teams, dating back to last season, the Spitfires were at home and confident they could put a dent in the series.

All season, Spitfires’ head coach Greg Walters has emphasized the importance of depth scoring. Players like captain Liam Greentree (New York Rangers), Jack Nesbitt (Philadelphia Flyers), and Jakub Fibigr (Seattle Kraken) have been vital in the playoffs, but getting production from all lines can make or break a series. It played a key role in Game 3.

Fibigr opened the scoring on a five-on-three power play just two minutes in, giving the Spitfires a 1-0 lead. While the Rangers snuffed out the rest of that advantage, veteran depth forward Alex Pharand made it 2-0 late in the frame. However, the Rangers would respond before the buzzer thanks to veteran Christian Humphreys.

The clubs played tight, physical defence, refusing to give away any chances. Despite few scoring opportunities, both Spitfires’ goaltender Joey Costanzo and Rangers’ netminder Christian Kirsch were strong when called upon. It was the game we’ve come to expect from these clubs.

Early in the third, Spitfires’ 18-year-old defenceman Andrew Robinson scored his second of the playoffs to extend the lead to 3-1. While Cameron Arquette made it a one-goal game late, Spitfires’ forward Ethan Garden hit the open cage with 29 seconds left to seal the 4-2 win. That cuts the Rangers’ series lead to 2-1. After the game, Walters said their depth executed the right plays when they needed to.

“Robinson, Pharand, it was just a solid game,” he said. “It’s tight-checking and it comes down to who executes, who makes the right play at the right time, and who defends better.”

Rangers’ head coach Jussi Ahokas was an OHL Coach of the Year finalist this season after winning it last season. He said he knew it would be a battle, but he didn’t like their execution.

“It was a tight game,” Ahokas said. “We weren’t good enough, though. We know it’s going to be a battle. We had to kill a tough five-on-three penalty; they scored, but otherwise the penalty kill worked well. A couple of goals they scored where we didn’t have support on breakouts. We had our chances, but we didn’t bury them … It’s one game, so we move on.”

Pharand Finding His Role

While Pharand didn’t get a star, he was vital in the win. His first-period goal gave the club the two-goal cushion, which became important as the game wore on.

The 21-year-old Sudbury native is in his final OHL season. After starting with the Hamilton (now Brantford) Bulldogs in 2021-22, he made his way back to his hometown (via the Peterborough Petes) where he played over 250 games. This season, with the Sudbury Wolves rebuilding, he and Villeneuve were leaned on for the offence. In 37 games, he had 26 points for them.

However, after being traded to the Spitfires in January with Villeneuve, he’s taken on a new role. It’s more of depth and doing the little things to help the club. He’s throwing his 6-foot-3, 198-pound frame around, getting in players’ faces, and just being that veteran pest that every playoff team needs. He said that, while Monday’s goal was the biggest and most important he’s scored, he’s embracing the idea of being a role player.

“It’s definitely different, but I’m adapting well to it,” Pharand said. “As the season has gone on, the coaches have trusted me more and more. It took me a little bit of time to get used to the systems we play here. Playing a role is something that has to be done in the NHL and OHL, and I embrace it. I’ll do whatever coach wants me to do night in and night out to help our team win. I’m proud of what I can contribute to this team.”

SPIN AND SNIPE🔁

Alex Pharand doubles the @SpitsHockey lead with a beauty.#OHLPlayoffs | #KITvsWSR pic.twitter.com/2om1SGOztz

— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) April 27, 2026

Walters had him on the fourth line with rookie Caden Harvey and veteran Nathan Gaymes, who left the game for unspecified reasons. Going to 11 forwards didn’t change Pharand’s approach, though. Playoff teams need that guy who’s willing to do anything for his club, regardless of his past. His goal and physical play were important parts of cutting the series to 2-1.

It’s a Chess Match

Games 1 and 2 at the Auditorium in Kitchener were one-goal contests. It’s the name of the game when both clubs thrive on defence-first approaches. Game 3 was no different.

From the opening puck drop, the clubs were set on tight-checking, defensive hockey where your best chances to score come from executing on special teams or capitalizing on mistakes the opponent makes. The Spitfires had an important five-on-three power play early. While they scored to gain early momentum, the Rangers were very aggressive on the penalty kill after that and allowed nothing. Walters said you have to credit the Rangers in that situation.

“Their penalty killing is good,” he said. “We’re ever-changing and we’ll keep working at (our power play). At the end of the day, it’s execution, but you have to give the Rangers credit. They’re extremely good at their penalty kill and we have to find a way to be successful.”

From there, the teams played their games but adjusted to what the other threw at them. It was a chess match; who made the big move that had to be countered. You could call it the games within the game. In a conference championship, you know what the other team has, but the goal is to find new things to throw them off course. Ahokas said they didn’t play their best. However, he knows the Spitfires are adjusting game-by-game and the Rangers will do what they need to in Game 4 on Wednesday.

“The (Spitfires) made some changes to their game,” Ahokas said. “They’ve been adjusting a lot. Their change went away from their identity and they’re playing a little bit of a different style right now but that’s always playoffs. It’s a cat-and-mouse game. I knew it was going to be hard. They’re a good team. Wednesday is a good spot for us to jump back in and play our best game.”

While the Spitfires won this chess match, they’re still down a game, which makes Game 4 just as important as Game 3. Pharand said that this was one game and the moves will continue.

“The job’s not over,” he said. “We have to get ready to go on Wednesday.”

Puck drop for Game 4 is set for 7:05 p.m. Game 5 will happen on Friday night back at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium.