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With a 3-2 win over the QMJHL’s Chicoutimi Sagueneens on Tuesday night, the OHL’s Kitchener Rangers punched their ticket into the Memorial Cup Final after going undefeated (3-0) during Round Robin play. Kitchener also defeated the host Kelowna Rockets (WHL) 5-0 in the opening game of the tournament and the Everett Silvertips (WHL) 6-2 in their second appearance.
Chicago Blackhawks forward prospect Jack Pridham has played a massive role in the Rangers’ success thus far at the Memorial Cup, as the 2024 third-round pick (No. 92 overall) scored in all three Robin Robin games. During Kitchener’s run to claiming the OHL title, Pridham, the league’s second-leading goal scorer during the regular season with 46 tallies, only found the back of the net twice in 18 contests. But he’s now returned to scoring at his usual rate and also leads all players with six points.
Pridham wasted no time in turning the Memorial Cup into his own personal playground, scoring a goal and adding an assist in Kitchener’s shutout victory over Kelowna last Friday. He was named Player of the Game for his efforts and started off the tournament with a bang.
Player of the game Prids️
With a goal and an assist Jack Pridham was named the player of the game in the Rangers 5-0 victory.#MemorialCup | @OHLRangers | #Blackhawkspic.twitter.com/oazi8hbZVC
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) May 23, 2026
In the Rangers’ second match against Everett, Pridham scored his second and third goals of the Memorial Cup to help his team earn another lopsided result on Monday. Pridham’s first tally came on the power play near the midway point of the first period, giving Kitchener a 2-0 advantage just over 10 minutes in.
His second goal occurred with 5:37 remaining in the second period, extending the Rangers’ lead to 5-2 going into the intermission. Pridham’s teammate, Cameron Reid, racked up four points (1G, 3A) in the victory, snagging the Player of the Game honors over him.
Pridham put together another spectacular showing against Chicoutimi on Tuesday to steer Kitchener to the Memorial Cup Final. With the Rangers ahead 1-0 early in the second period, Pridham picked up a primary assist on Sam O’Reilly’s goal for his first point of the night.
O-Dog approved
Sam O'Reilly continues to impress @odognine2 with his 200 foot game.#MemorialCup | @OHLRangerspic.twitter.com/PcpOjxWP6E
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) May 27, 2026
The Sauganeens cut the deficit to 2-1 before the second intermission, but Pridham provided a clutch response in the early moments of the third period. He blasted a slap shot from the left point into the top corner for his second point of the game, extending the Rangers’ lead to 3-1. That marker proved to be the difference in the result.
Pridham has represented the Blackhawks organization remarkably well in Kelowna and has been a driving factor behind the Rangers reaching the Memorial Cup Final for the seventh time in franchise history. He leads the tournament in both goals (4) and points (6).
Kitchener will return to play next in the Championship match on Sunday, but their opponent is still to be determined. Kelowna faces Everett on Wednesday night to close out Round Robin play, and the result will impact what the semifinal matchup will look like on Friday.
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The post Blackhawks Prospect Leads Kitchener Rangers To Memorial Cup Final appeared first on Chicago Hockey Now.
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