WITH PHOTOS: Fire Extinguished in 4-3 OT Loss

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All photos by: Tim Cornett/WindsorSpitfires.com

A young, new Windsor team took to the ice in their season opener with a burst of flames. The game was fast-paced from the opening puck drop to the last goal – a goal that the Spitfires wish they could get back. Back-and-forth action led the teams to overtime, where the Erie Otters came out the victors. The visitors scored halfway through the extra frame to pick up a 4-3 win over the Windsor Spitfires Thursday night at the WFCU Centre.

Prior to the game, the on-ice light show wowed the fans as it unveiled the new Ignite The Fire brand. With red flashing lights going off, and a pilot flying a spitfire on the jumbotron, the fans were delighted to a spectacle before being introduced to this year’s team. At the end, the ice burst into flames to the roaring of the crowd.

Once the opening show was done, and the teams were ready, the game was underway. early on, the new Spitfires displayed their talents: agility, puck control and a poised defense. Erie managed to get past the players and score its first goal of the season. Kyle Pettit parked himself in the crease before grabbing hold of the puck. He spun around and slid it into the open net to put the Otters up 1-0 early. the Spitfires were down, but their spirits weren’t. The team was hot, firing shot after shot and getting a few good opportunities. A rush up the ice put the Spits in a great scoring position, and newcomer Christian Fischer finished the play with a snap-shot from the slot. The Spits evened the score, and pressed for more. The goal didn’t come before the end of the period, so the teams took a 1-1 tie into the locker room after the first period.

Windsor’s strong defense carried into the second as Michael Giugovas continued to make athletic saves and keeping his team in the game. Throughout the period, the Spitfries played collectively as a powerful unit. Its crisp passing plays gave them the upper hand as they outplayed the Otters. However, though playing with full heart and control, the visitors went up once again. Kyle Maksimovich speedily rushed in before letting a swift shot go. It was too quick for Giugovaz as the Otters regained their lead. Windsor’s efforts finally paid off near the end of the period as Bradley Latour split the defense. His wrist-shot was too fast for Devin Williams as the Spits once more tied the game. After 40 minutes, the teams were deadlocked at two.

The Spitfires didn’t waste any time going to work in the third. Just 2:11 in, the team grabbed its first lead of the game. Latour found Anthony Stefano streaking in through middle on a 3-on-2. He found a hole and fired the puck past the goalie. The Spitfires took a 3-2 early lead and fought hard to hang on to it. for nearly the whole period, their strategy was working. The Otters couldn’t keep up. As the period was winding down, Erie found a way to get one past the wall that the Spits put up. With 1:15 remaining, Taylor Raddysh redirected a point shot past the goaltender to tie the game. The goal took the crowd temproarily out of the game. At the end of the period, though tied at 3, the fans cheered for their team, as they got ready for overtime.

The pace quickened in the third as the teams played the new 3-on-3 overtime regulations. With more open ice, the teams were able to pull off long passes and create timely chances. The Spitfires tried numerous times to capitalize on a short 2-on-1, but to no avail. Near the halfway point of the period, Damen Raddysh skated around the defender in the Windsor end before heading toward the net. He was able to stuff the puck between Giugovaz legs and get the win for his team. The Erie Otters topped the Windsor Spitfires 4-3 in the season opener.

Windsor’s next home game is next Thursday, October 1st as they take on the Saginaw Spirit at 7:05pm.