Wild Game Ends In Loss

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In one of the fastest-played games, the outcome did not favour the Windsor Spitfires. Very few whistles allowed for continuous chances for each team, but the Sault Ste.  Marie Greyhounds were the ones to capitalize. Michael Bunting managed to get the puck behind Alex Fotinos with a minute and a half to play in regulation to secure the win for his team Thursday night. The Hounds won 6-4 against the Spits at the WFCU Centre.

It was a busy opening period as the teams exchanged goals back and forth, with very few whistles in between. The game was kicked off when Windsor got on the board first. Following a steal at the Sault Ste. Marie blue line, Slater Doggett threw a fluttering puck toward the net. The shot rebounded to Cristiano DiGiacinto and he put it past Brandon Halverson. Minutes later, the Greyhounds were called for a head-check, but that didn’t stop them. A shorthanded Anthony DeAngelo scored 10 seconds into the penalty with a tough-angled shot that slipped through Alex Fotinos. On the same penalty, though, the Spitfires regained their lead. The players set up Jalen Chatfield for a shot, and it was deflected up by Jamie Lewis to put Windsor up once more. The lead would only last a few minutes as the Greyhounds fired back. A big rebound came from Jared McCann’s shot, and it was picked up by Michael Bunting. He grabbed the puck, and from behind the net, sent a backhand pass out front to McCann once more. He beat Fotinos low to tie the game. Before long, the Spitfires added a third goal and again, took control. Lewis’ efforts to get into the offensive zone were squashed, but a quick turnover by the Greyhounds gave Windsor the chance. As one defender tried to pass to the other, Lucas Venuto stepped in to steal the back. Already in close, he let a swift shot go that fooled Halverson. After a fast and crazy first period, Windsor had a 3-2 lead over Sault Ste. Marie.

The same type of play carried over from the first to the second: few whistles, constant play, and plenty of action at both ends. With such open ice play, Sault Ste. Marie was able to take its first lead of the game after scoring a pair of early goals. On a Greyhounds rush, nobody saw DeAngelo skating in. He was sent a pass out front and easily tapped it in just 54 seconds into the middle frame. A few minutes passed before the Hounds scored the go-ahead goal. Bryan Moore faked a shot in the slot, slid around the defender, then fired a shot past Fotinos. Windsor was quick to respond as captain Patrick Sanvido stepped up to tie the game. His wrist-shot from the blue line made its way straight over Halverson’s glove and in. As the second period came to a close, the teams were at a 4-4 standstill.

For much of the third period, it was quiet. Though the Spits came out hot, they weren’t able to regain the lead they lost in the second. Again, with so little stoppages, the pace of the game was fast and full of opportunities. Nearing the end of regulation, the possibility of overtime was looming. However, the game wouldn’t make it that far; the Hounds would grab a late lead. DeAngelo, from the boards, dished off the puck to Connor Boland at the point. He let a slapshot go from the middle of the blue line, and it was tipped in the slot area by Bunting. The goal really deflated the energy in the arena. The Hounds added an empty-net goal for good measure. In the end, Windsor dropped a disappointing 6-4 decision to Sault Ste. Marie.

The Spits are back in action in Windsor on Sunday, March 8^th against the Oshawa Generals at 2:05pm.