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2w ago

Kitchener Rangers Run Perfect Tournament to Claim 2026 Memorial Cup

A 6-2 win over Everett capped a 4-0 sweep showcasing Christian Kirsch’s elite goaltending, Sam O’Reilly’s MVP performance, the Rangers’ depth, OHL strength

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Kitchener Rangers players pose for a team photo after defeating the Everett Silvertips to win the Memorial Cup final hockey game, in Kelowna, B.C., on Sunday, May 31, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
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Overview

  • Kitchener beat the Everett Silvertips 6-2 on Sunday night to win the 2026 Memorial Cup after going a perfect 4-0 in Kelowna.
  • Sam O’Reilly was named tournament MVP after a four-point final and eight points across four games, completing a rare sweep of season, playoff and Memorial Cup awards.
  • Goaltender Christian Kirsch anchored the run with a tournament .957 save percentage and 30 saves in the final that stifled Everett’s attack.
  • Everett reached the final after a 6-1 semifinal in which 17-year-old Landon DuPont returned from injury and scored twice, boosting his draft stock despite the loss.
  • The result extends a run of OHL success at the Memorial Cup, keeps the WHL title drought since 2014 intact, and highlights how short, high‑visibility tournaments can reshape NHL scouting views.