Memorial Cup Final Preview: Kitchener Rangers vs. Everett Silvertips

Photo by Steve Dunsmoor / CHL


KELOWNA, B.C. — A week after arriving at the Memorial Cup as champions of their respective leagues, the Kitchener Rangers and Everett Silvertips are one win away from becoming champions of the Canadian Hockey League.



Kitchener enters Sunday's final undefeated through three tournament games, while Everett advanced to the championship game with a commanding 6-1 semifinal victory over the Chicoutimi Saguenéens.



The Rangers are seeking their first Memorial Cup title since 2003. The Silvertips are chasing the first Memorial Cup championship in franchise history.



Kitchener earned a direct berth in the final after posting a 3-0 record in round-robin play. The Rangers opened the tournament with a 5-0 win over host Kelowna before defeating Everett 6-2 and edging Chicoutimi 3-2.



Despite that earlier victory over the Silvertips, Kitchener is focused on sticking to the formula that carried the club to the championship game.



"Get to the net, work pucks down low, and kind of do the things we've worked on all year," forward Luke Ellinas said. "There's no need to change anything up and if we play our game, we'll have success."



The Rangers received a major contribution from defenseman Cameron Reid in the first meeting between the clubs. Reid recorded a goal and two assists and was named Player of the Game in Kitchener's 6-2 victory, while Jack Pridham added two goals and an assist.



Everett arrives with momentum after Friday's semifinal win, which secured the first Memorial Cup final appearance in franchise history.



Calgary product Landon DuPont scored twice against Chicoutimi, while Carter Bear, Julius Miettinen, Zackary Shantz and Jaxsin Vaughan also found the back of the net. DuPont returned to the lineup after missing Everett's final round-robin game and made an immediate impact.



Despite being one win away from a national championship, DuPont said the magnitude of the moment still hasn’t fully sunk in.



“I remember being five up until last year just watching the Memorial Cup and wishing I could play there one day, and being here, it’s truly surreal,” DuPont said.



The Calgary product also embraced Everett’s underdog status heading into the final.



“It’s cool being the underdog. It’s cool proving people wrong, and I think we’ve been doing that all year.”



The Silvertips have scored 17 goals in four tournament games, while Kitchener produced 14 goals through three round-robin contests. Sunday's matchup will feature the tournament's two highest-scoring teams with a national championship on the line.



The final also presents an intriguing contrast in preparation. Kitchener has not played since Tuesday after clinching first place in the round robin, while Everett will be playing its second game in three days after Friday's semifinal.



For the Rangers, the opportunity is a chance to capture the franchise's third Memorial Cup championship and first in more than two decades.



For Everett, a victory would complete a historic run and deliver the first Memorial Cup title in franchise history.



Puck drop is scheduled for 4 p.m. PT / 7 p.m. ET from Prospera Place.