WITH PHOTOS: Vertiy, Hughson Shutout Firebirds

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Photos by: Tim Cornett:WindsorSpitfires.com

Windsor was coming off a huge win against London. Two of its stars are off representing Canada at the World Under-17 hockey tournament. The team stepped up, though. Daniil Vertiy scored twice, and goalie Garret Hughson stopped the 28 shots that he faced as the Spitfires continue to play outstanding hockey. The Spits handed the Flint Firebirds a 3-0 loss Thursday night in Windsor.

The Spits were without rookie Gabriel Vilardi and goaltender Michael DiPietro.

The Spitfires wasted no time turning up the heat against their Western Conference rivals. It took them just a little over two minutes to grab an early lead. Mikhail Sergachev used his magic to stickhandle around a few defenders before sliding a timely pass to Daniil Vertiy. He slapped the puck into the net to give his team the lead. Windsor scored the first goal, but it was Flint returning the pressure. The visitors had great chances, but newest goalie addition Garret Hughson was solid and ready. The remainder of the period made for excellent hockey. With a fast pace, minimal whistles and few stoppages, the opening period flew by. The Spitfires had themselves a 1-0 lead after the first.

The second period continued like the first, with plenty of puck movement and speed. Though it was a mostly uneventful period, the tensions began to boil between the teams. Penalties were taken, and chances were had. However, neither team would score a goal in the middle frame. The Spits remained ahead 1-0.

To kick off the final period, Hughson pulled off an incredible save that thundered throughout the arena. Facing a 2-on-1, he slid post to post and made the fantastic save. The play energized the crowd and fired up the Spits. With a newfound fire, Windsor burst into action for another goal. From the half boards, Christian Fischer found Sergachev skating into the zone. Once he had the puck, he skated in on the goalie and drew him out of the net. With the goalie down and out, he fired the puck into the open side. Not much long after, Vertiy connected for his second of the game. In the Flint end, he picked the puck off a defender and blasted a shot straight to the back of the net. The Spitfires had a three-goal lead, and held on. They fought off the Firebirds’ chances and finished the game with a 3-0 win.

Windsor is out of town Friday night, but the team is back home Saturday afternoon to face the Guelph Storm at 1:05pm.