Ellinas and Parsons power Kitchener Rangers to historic comeback victory

As the Kitchener Rangers get ready to take on the London Knights, CTV’s Jeff Pickel catches up with two stars who help lift the team to victory.

As the Kitchener Rangers gear up for the Western Conference Finals, the team is reflecting on the playoffs and that historic comeback.

After trailing the Windsor Spitfires 3-0 in the Western Conference Semi-Final, the Rangers clawed their way back, ultimately winning game 7 in overtime.

“Really I just kind of blacked out in the moment,” said Rangers forward Luke Ellinas, who scored the overtime winner.

Ellinas scored the Ranger’s other goal in their 2-1 game 7 win.

The 19-year-old from Toronto missed the first three games of the series due to a suspension, but after getting back in the lineup, Ellinas scored 5 goals and adding 3 assists in the final 4 games of the series.

“He’s a grinder, a two-way player who can score big goals,” said Rangers Head Coach Jussi Ahokas.

The Ranger’s second round victory was back stopped by goaltender Jackson Parsons.

After a rough start to the series allowing 16 goals in the first 3 games, Parson found his form in game four posting a shutout.

Parsons allowed just three goals over the final four games.

“Confidence is a huge part of the game,” said Parson.

“Frankly, if you’re a goalie and you don’t think that you’re the best goalie out there or you’re the best goalie in the league, you’re already behind the eight ball, so that’s the biggest takeaway.”

To his teammates, Parsons is vital to their success.

“He’s everything, we wouldn’t even be here without him, he’s the best in the league. We rely on him so much to big saves in big moments, So to have him is huge,” said Ellinas.

SPITFIRES RANGERS Windsor Spitfires fell to the Kitchener Rangers in overtime at the WFCU centre in Game 7 on April 22, 2025. (Source: Windsor Spitfires/X)

Tough competition ahead

Waiting for the Rangers in Western Conference Final are the OHL’s top team, the London Knights.

“They are the 14 NHL draft picks, the OHL allstar team, so we are the underdogs,” said Coach Ahokas.

After staring down elimination four games in a row, the Rangers say they are ready for anything.

“We know what we have to do, we know what they’re going to do, ad at the end of the day we have to win four games,” said Parsons.

Game one is London Friday night.

The Rangers return to the Aud for game three on Monday.