Whalers Stun Spitfires in 8-2 Shocker

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Throughout the arena, throughout the halls downstairs…silence. Fans sat speechless in their seats. Players on the bench didn’t know what to do. It’s been a while since the team experienced a loss like this. Thursday night, however, the Windsor Spitfires were knocked down from their pedestal, as the Plymouth Whalers defeated the hometown boys by an overwhelming score of 8-2 at the WFCU Centre.

The Spitfires had an early opportunity in the game when the Whalers took a penalty just 18 seconds into the first period. After killing off their first two-minute minor, they took another later in the period.  Unfortunately, it was Plymouth’s special teams that started the eventful evening. Vincent Trocheck raced after the puck in the Spits zone. First he beat the defenseman, then Jaroslav Pavelka with a forehand-to-backhand move to go up 1-0. A little later, Trocheck again was causing havoc for the Spits. His shot rebounded and was picked up by Cody Payne who spun a backhand shot into the net. Not yet done, the Whalers added one more before the end of the period. Former Spitfire Zach Lorentz got his first of three points 29 seconds later as he let a shot go through a crowd and past Pavelka. Frustration set in for Windsor as the team became more physical. After 20 minutes, they were down 3-0.

Because of late penalties near the end of the first, Windsor started the second on a short 5-on-3. Plymouth killed off one just to take another, allowing the Spits to take advantage. Kerby Rychel, from behind the net, slid a pass to Alex Aleardi. Aleardi pulled the puck to the other side of the net before lifting a backhand shot over Matt Mahalak. The Spits narrowed the gap, but that was as close as they would come. A rebound, a tip, and a few tricky wrist-shots extended Plymouth’s lead, 8-1. Though the crowd was deflated, Windsor continued to press forward, and it paid off. Aleardi broke into the zone but was trapped. He turned and softly passed the puck to Rychel. His fake slap-shot dropped Mahalak, so his shot easily made its way over the goalie. The assist would mark Aleardi’s 100th OHL career assist. Following 40 minutes of play, the Spitfires were down by a monstrous margin 8-2.

The pace slowed down substantially in the third period. Both teams had their chances – Windsor even hitting a post. At the end, however, the Plymouth Whalers devastated the Windsor Spitfires by handing them an 8-2 loss.

Plymouth Spoils Aleardi’s Night

Alex Aleardi was reunited with his teammates Thursday night, but not the way he had planned. Not only was he playing in his 300^th OHL career game, but it was against his former team – a team he had left at the trade deadline. He scored a goal, had an assist, and earned the game’s third star, but he would have liked to walk out with the win.

The loss for Windsor is its first in regulation since the trade deadline. Until Thursday night, the Spitfires had gotten a point in its six games between January 10^th and January 20^th.

Windsor’s next home game is next Thursday, January 31^st when they play host to the Peterborough Petes.