OHL Windsor Spitfires

Spitfires Defeat Firebirds 5-3

January 3, 2024 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Windsor Spitfires News Release


WINDSOR, ON - The Spitfires had a positive week as they collected 4 out of six points in their last three games. The Firebirds were in town for a crucial matchup as they lead the Spitfires by 6 points for the 8th and final spot in the playoff race. The Spitfires with a game in hand would get an important victory by a final score of 5-3.

In the first period, both teams would change on the fly as the pace was very quick with few whistles. The games first goal took over 16 minutes in this one. The Spitfires fourth line got on the board first. Morneau's initial shot was blocked and he got the puck back and walked in before roofing the puck short-side for his third of the season. Less than a minute later, the Spitfires would double their lead on the powerplay. A pretty passing play in which every player touched the puck once before Zhugin finished it off from Peer and Maillet. It was his 14th of the season. The shots were tied at 12 after 20 minutes of play.

In the second period, it was another 15 minutes before the games next goal as they came in quick succession. The Firebirds would make it a 2-1 game as they scored on the powerplay. Just 34 seconds later, the Spitfires responded. Greentree made two nice moves before sliding the puck to Maillet for the wide open net and he cashed in on his 11th of the year. Just a minute later, the Firebirds would score to make it a 3-2 game. At the end of forty minutes, the Spitfires trailed in shots 27-18.

In the third period, both teams would battle for the all important next goal. It was just over 9 minutes in as the Firebirds would score to tie the game at 3. Late in the game, the Spitfires were dominating the puck possession and looking for the games next goal. It was with under 5 minutes to go and an unsung hero with his first career OHL goal. The puck came back to the point and Walton wired it through traffic top shelf for the game winning goal and his first in the OHL. The Spitfires would add an empty net as Maillet scored his second of the night from Greentree. The Spitfires skated to an important victory and are now just four points back of 8th place.

The Spitfires hit the road on the weekend as they head to Erie on Saturday for a matchup with the Otters with puck drop scheduled for 7:00pm. On Sunday the Spitfires will take on the Niagara Ice Dogs with a puck drop at 2:05pm.

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from January 3, 2024


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