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OHL Windsor Spitfires

Ellis Leads Spits to 5-3 Win, Spits can Clinch Series with Game Six Win

April 16, 2011 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Windsor Spitfires News Release


Windsor didn't get off to a good start on the road Saturday night in game five of the series. However, the Spits stayed within striking distance and Spits Captain Ryan Ellis showed why he's one of the best players period in junior hockey, scoring the go ahead goal for the Spits with less than four minutes left in the game to give Windsor their first lead of the game and a 5-3 win.

Windsor holds a three games to two series lead against the Spirit and can clinch the series, and a berth in the Western Conference Finals against Owen Sound with a victory later today in Windsor. Game time is set for 7:05 pm.

Saginaw struck early. Brandon Saad converted a Matt Sisca cross crease pass, catching the Spitfires flat footed in transition 44 seconds into the game to give Saginaw the early 1-0 lead. After a Ryan Ellis holding the stick penalty, Peter Hermenegildo banged in a rebound from a Chiarot point shot midway through the period to make it a 2-0 lead for the Spirit.

Spits netminder Jack Campbell made some big save to keep the Spits in the game; denying Matt Sisca on a breakaway with 6 minutes left in the first period and making an exceptional diving save on a partial breakaway by Saad two minutes later. Saginaw took their 2-0 edge to the dressing room after 20 minutes of play.

In the second period, Jake Carrick put the Spits on the board 10:29 into the second period powering past a Spirit defender to make it a 2-1 game. After a Kerby Rychel hooking penalty, Saginaw restored their two-goal lead on the power play with just over seven minutes left in the frame on a Dalton Prout blast from the right point.

Jake Carrick brought the Spits back to within one with his second of the night, beating Parks with a wrist shot high blocker making it 3-2. A great hustle play by Jeff Brown in Saginaw's zone left Carnevale wide open in front of the net, as Carny netted his fifth of the playoffs with 45 seconds left in the third period to tie the game at three apiece.

In the third period, Saginaw carried the play and had many chances, with Campbell continuing to shine in goal for the Spits. Windsor broke the tie with less than four minutes to go, after Ryan Ellis snuck in front the point and tapped in a Zack Kassian wrist shot that squeaked by Mavric Parks at 16:06 of the third period, giving Windsor its first lead of the game at 4-3.

A Kenny Ryan empty netter with 18 seconds ended any chances of a Spirit comeback and secured a 5-3 victory for Windsor.

Fans are encouraged to wear red for each Spitfire home game as part of the Spits "Mission 9-10-11" theme for the 2011 OHL Playoffs.

For game by game coverage, visit the Spits live blog at windsorspitfires.com or via twitter @GO_SPITS_GO. Fans can also tune into TVCOGECO to watch each game or catch the action live with Mike Miller, the Voice of the Spits on AM800.

Check out the Windsor Spitfires Statistics

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from April 16, 2011


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