Spitfires Snap Losing Streak

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The Windsor Spitfires have pushed past a rough patch and into winning territory. Following a bumpy few weeks of losses and trades, the Spits are back in the win column. Jamie Lewis scored with 7:52 remaining in the third period, and the goal was enough to put the Plymouth Whalers away. The young Spitfires squad held on to win 5-4 against the Whalers Friday night in Windsor.

Windsor was the first team to get on the board as Logan Brown tipped Logan Stanley’s blue line wrist-shot just 2:25 in. The Spits stayed on top for a little bit, but the Whalers evened the game at one. Francesco Vilardi’s wrist-shot from the face-off dot was too quick for Alex Fotinos. The Spitfires weren’t going to sit back. Instead, they got a few chances before getting the go-ahead goal. Martin Soberg found Aaron Luchuk speeding to the net for the tap-in goal. A little over two minutes later, Ryan Moore found some skating room before going around the net and setting up Hayden McCool. His wrist-shot went off the post and behind Zack Bowman. The Spitfires were connecting as a unit offensively as they took a 3-1 lead into the first intermission.

Down 3-1 in the second, the Whalers quickly turned the tables. Matt Mistele beat Fotinos high glove-side to cut the lead to one. Later, Sonny Milano out-deked the defender in front, and his tricky shot fooled the Windsor goaltender. Fotinos’ off night brought in Brendan Johnston, but he too soon felt the wrath of the Whalers. Plymouth took the lead 11 seconds after Milano’s tying goal. Mitch Jones’ fired the puck from just inside the blue line and past Johnston. After shaking off the fast goal, the Spitfires went right back to work. In the offensive zone, Cristiano DiGiacinto skated out from the corner and roofed the puck over Bowman. Windsor was getting plenty of opportunities as the Spits got through to the net. On numerous occasions, the puck slid through the open ice crease area. However, the second period would end in a 4-4 tie.

DiGiacinto was close to scoring his second of the night on a short breakaway with a great between-the-legs move. Nedeljkovic stood tall though, and stopped the shot. At the other end, Johnston’s valiant efforts all period long kept the Spits in the game as he made big save after big save. He was able to stop a flurry of Plymouth chances and keep the game tied at four. With the pressure tilting the game in Windsor’s favour, the Spitfires flew in for the final blow. One-on-one with the goalie, Jamie Lewis bested him with a forehand-backhand move that brought the 4518 fans to their feet. Not much time was left for the Whalers as they tried one last rush. In the dying seconds of the period, Johnston came up with a huge stop. Windsor hung on to defeat Plymouth 5-4.

The next game for the Spits is Thursday, December 4^th at 7:05pm against the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.