Windsor Spitfires Open Season With A Loss

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Lights, cameras, action! The Windsor Spitfires were back on the ice Thursday night as they hosted the Oshawa Generals in the home opener of the 2013-2014 season. It won’t be a night to remember for Windsor though. The Spitfires had to overcome a lead – and nearly did. They fell just short to an offensive Oshawa team as the Generals handed Windsor a 4-3 loss.

Former Windsor assistant coach DJ Smith and his Generals arrived at the arena ready and able – definitely able. The opponents had themselves a 3-0 lead following the opening period. Michael Dal Colle started the scoring spree shortly into a power-play. Soon after the faceoff, he slapped a rolling puck over the block of goaltender Jordan DeKort. Not much later, Dal Colle struck again. A pass out front from Joe Manchurek standing beside the net allowed Dal Colle to tip it up and past DeKort. Once more, with less than five minutes to play, Oshawa added to its tally. A Windsor turnover behind the net led to a pass from the corner. Former Spitfire Hunter Smith sent a pass across the crease to Josh Sterk for the easy goal.

After being blanked in the first period, the Spits came out with more energy. Early in the second, Steven Janes broke up a pass and fired the puck between goalie Daniel Altschuller’s legs. The Spitfires got within one after the midway point of the period. Captain Kerby Rychel’s shot from in close snuck through Altshuller’s equipment and just crept past the line to put the Spits back into the game. Oshawa nearly went up a pair late, but the goal was disallowed due to some goaltender interference. Windsor couldn’t tie the game on the power-play as the buzzer sounded.

Back and forth, the teams had chances to take either go up by a couple of goals or even the scoring at three. Fortunately for the home team and its 5174 fans in attendance, it was the latter. Rychel scored his second of the game – and the equalizer – on the power-play when his shot got the best of Altshuller. The Generals, however, put the exclamation point on their impressive game with under five minutes remaining to take a 4-3 lead. Smith got the puck in the slot and let a quick shot go to beat DeKort with the eventual game-winning goal. A last-minute Windsor penalty ceased any offense, as the Spits just fell short Thursday night, losing 4-3 to the Generals.

Windsor’s next home game is Thursday, September 26^th when they face the Sarnia Sting.