KITCHENER, Ontario (Interstat) — The Ontario Hockey League playoff series between the Kitchener Rangers and Windsor Spitfires reaches a critical juncture Friday night.

The Rangers, boasting the league’s best record at 57-23, host the Spitfires (53-26) at Kitchener Memorial Auditorium for Game 5. Kitchener holds a 3-1 lead in the best-of-7 series after a 4-1 victory in Windsor on Wednesday.

Windsor’s offense revolves around center Ethan Garden. He scored a goal on two shots in Windsor’s 4-2 win Monday in the series’ lone Spitfires victory. Garden produced his most explosive performance of the season against the Guelph Storm on Apr. 2, recording two goals and two assists.

Kitchener counters with defenseman Carson Campbell. He recorded an assist and four penalty minutes in the Rangers’ 4-2 loss Monday at Windsor. Campbell has contributed steadily throughout the postseason.

The series has featured tight margins. Three of four games have been decided by one goal, including Kitchener’s 4-3 overtime victory Apr. 24 in Kitchener. The Rangers also posted a 2-1 win there Apr. 26.

Friday’s game marks the third meeting in the series at the Aud. Game 6 is scheduled for Sunday in Windsor, with a potential Game 7 back in Kitchener on Monday.