Murphy’s Overtime Goal Lifts Spits

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It’s not how you start, but how you finish. In Thursday night action in Windsor, the Windsor Spitfires scored the game’s first two goals, but the last two mattered most. They tied the game with less than a minute remaining in the third. Trevor Murphy wasted no time in the extra period as his shot found its way to the back of the net. The Spitfires rallied for a 4-3 victory over the Ottawa 67’s.

All the right things were there for Windsor, except for a goal. Despite having an early 5-on-3 powerplay, the team couldn’t take advantage. The Spitfires showed great moves and poise at both ends, but couldn’t seem to break Ottawa’s defensive wall. Near the midway point of the period, they were finally able to push past the barricade. After Slater Doggett drew a defender down on a 2-on-1, he slid the puck to Cristiano DiGiacinto, who put it over the glove of Liam Ferbst and in. later in the period, as another powerplay was coming to an end, Doggett set up Trevor Murphy at the blue line. His high wrist-shot again beat Ferbst glove side, as the Spits grabbed a 2-0 lead. The 67’s cut that lead to one just over a minute later. Ottawa star Travis Konecny made a sweet toe-drag move to get around the defender, before crossing in front of Alex Fotinos and sliding the puck in. the first period would end shortly thereafter with Windsor up 2-1.

It didn’t take the visitors long to even the game at two. Alex Lintuniemi’s centering pass was inadvertently deflected in by Jamie Lewis, who was trying to break up the play. A few minutes later, Ottawa took the lead. The 67’s cashed in on a powerplay rush. Jacob Middleton, with time, fired a shot low-glove side to fool Fotinos, scoring the go-ahead goal for his team. The Spits had chances – their closest being a ringer off the post – but they couldn’t crack the Ottawa wall. After 40 minutes, the 67’s led 3-2 over the Spitfires.

A quiet, fast-paced third period certainly made for a loud ending. Though each team had opportunities, none was bigger than Windsor’s in the period’s final minute. Time was winding down, and with the extra attacker, the Spits were pressing. The puck made its way to Lucas Venuto in the high slot. He saw an opening and fired a shot toward a screened Ferbst. The puck made its way straight in as the Spitfires tied the game at three. On the play, Doggett recorded his third assist of the game. The buzzer sounded and the two teams were headed to overtime.

The Spitfires got right to work in the extra period. Doggett took a big hit in the neutral zone, allowing Murphy to pick up the puck near the Ottawa blue line. From the top of the right circle, he wound up and his slapshot rebounded to the boards. He fought off one defender to get control of the puck. He quickly threw it toward the net. The puck deflected off the other defender’s stick and floated over the glove of Ferbst before falling into the net. The crowd erupted as the Spitfires come back to win 4-3 over the Ottawa 67’s.

Windsor is back in action this Sunday, March 1^st as they take on the Sarnia Sting at 2:05pm.