Windsor Spitfires Are 2022 Western Conference Champions

June 2, 2022 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL) News Release

Windsor Spitfires celebrate the 2022 OHL Western Conference championship
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After finding the back of the net twice in Game 6, overage veteran Daniel D'Amico scored a hat trick in the seventh and deciding game while Xavier Medina turned in a 38-save shutout in the Windsor crease. Medina, who hadn't started a game in the playoffs prior to Game 6 on Tuesday, won back-to-back contests, stopping 69 of the 71 shots that came his way.

"It started the other night in Flint and it just snowballed into this game," said Spitfires head coach Marc Savard of his team's strong play. "The way we played, the composure we had, the no panic in our game. We have a saying, 'we is greater than me,' and tonight I think we proved that. The crowd tonight was amazing and it really gave the guys a boost."

Alex Christopoulos also scored for the Spitfires as Windsor came out on top in Game 7, hoisting the Wayne Gretzky Trophy with a big post-game celebration in front of the home crowd. Wyatt Johnston collected an assist in the win to increase his OHL playoff-leading point total to 31 (11-20--31).

"When the time comes our group is so tight that we'll close it out," said D'Amico, who was named first star in the win. "They battled hard, we battled hard and this was a great series altogether. Every time I step out on that ice I know it could be my last time in my junior career. Tonight was very special to have such a big game like that in front of a crowd that size."

Flint netminder Luke Cavallin made 32 saves in his final OHL start as the Firebirds' playoff run came to an end. Fellow overagers Ethan Keppen and Tag Bertuzzi also suited up in their final contest. Head coach Ted Dent's club turned in a franchise-best 42-21-1-4 regular season, eliminating Owen Sound in seven games and Sault Ste. Marie in five games to reach the Western Conference Championship Series for the first time in their history.

"We'd probably like to have the first period back, but I think we probably ran out of gas there a little bit," said Dent. "The amount of work and dedication and commitment that these players have put in this year and come together through a lot of adversity - on a whole our season was a great success."

The Spitfires saw the return of Detroit Red Wings prospect Pasquale Zito to their lineup after he was sidelined with an injury in Game 3 of Windsor's second round series against Kitchener. Toronto Maple Leafs draftee Braeden Kressler remained out of the Flint lineup in Game 7 after suffering an injury in Game 5.

The Spitfires claim their third Wayne Gretzky Trophy following previous titles in 2009 and 2010. They eliminated the Sarnia Sting in six games, the Kitchener Rangers in five and the Flint Firebirds in seven to advance to the OHL Championship Series where they'll face the Eastern Conference champion Hamilton Bulldogs in a series that begins on Friday night at FirstOntario Centre.

Spitfires captain Will Cuylle accepted the Wayne Gretzky Trophy from OHL Vice President of Business Operations Cole Butterworth. The Spits will play for the J. Ross Robertson Cup and a chance to advance to the 2022 Memorial Cup presented by Kia that gets underway on June 20 in Saint John, New Brunswick.

Windsor Spitfires celebrate the 2022 OHL Western Conference championship

Ontario Hockey League Stories from June 2, 2022

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• OHL's #2 Overall Pick Malcolm Spence Commits to Erie Otters - Erie Otters
• Reid Valade Named Ted Scharf Humanitarian Award Winner - Kitchener Rangers
• Windsor Spitfires Are 2022 Western Conference Champions - OHL

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