Windsor Spitfires vs Guelph Storm Game Report January 2, 2025

The Windsor Spitfires continued their impressive run with a high-scoring 9-5 victory over the Guelph Storm at the WFCU Centre on January 2, 2025. This win marked the Spitfires’ sixth consecutive victory.

Game Highlights

The game was highlighted by an exceptional performance from Ilya Protas, who scored four goals, including his first career OHL hat trick in the first period alone.

Scoring Summary

First Period

1. 3:12 – Windsor goal: Ilya Protas (22) (Liam Greentree, Ethan Belchetz)
2. 7:45 – Windsor goal: Ilya Protas (23) (Liam Greentree, Ethan Belchetz)
3. 12:33 – Windsor goal: Jack Nesbitt (15) (Ryan Abraham, Cole Davis)
4. 15:01 – Windsor goal: Ilya Protas (24) (Liam Greentree)
5. 18:42 – Guelph goal: Charlie Paquette (8) (Carter Stevens, Wil McFadden)

Second Period

6. 4:22 – Windsor goal: Cole Davis (12) (Ryan Abraham, Jack Nesbitt)
7. 9:56 – Guelph goal: Thomas Budnick (6) (Hunter McKenzie, Wil McFadden)

Third Period

8. 1:13 – Guelph goal: Hunter McKenzie (9) (Thomas Budnick, Charlie Paquette)
9. 3:45 – Windsor goal: Ryan Abraham (18) (Liam Greentree, Ilya Protas)
10. 5:22 – Windsor goal: Jack Nesbitt (16) (Cole Davis, Ryan Abraham)
11. 8:37 – Guelph goal: Wil McFadden (11) (Charlie Paquette, Thomas Budnick)
12. 10:04 – Guelph goal: Carter Stevens (7) (Charlie Paquette, Wil McFadden)
13. 12:39 – Windsor goal: Ilya Protas (25) (Liam Greentree)
14. 15:17 – Windsor goal: Liam Greentree (26) (Ilya Protas)

Player Statistics

Windsor Spitfires

• Ilya Protas: 4 goals, 1 assist
• Liam Greentree: 1 goal, 4 assists
• Ryan Abraham: 1 goal, 2 assists
• Jack Nesbitt: 2 goals
• Cole Davis: 1 goal, 1 assist
• Ethan Belchetz: 2 assists

Guelph Storm

• Charlie Paquette: 1 goal, 2 assists
• Wil McFadden: 1 goal, 2 assists
• Thomas Budnick: 1 goal, 1 assist
• Hunter McKenzie: 1 goal, 1 assist
• Carter Stevens: 1 goal, 1 assist

Shots on Goal

• Windsor Spitfires: 34
• Guelph Storm: 32

Game Analysis

The Windsor Spitfires demonstrated their offensive prowess, with nine different players contributing to the scoresheet. Ilya Protas’s four-goal performance, including his first OHL hat trick, was the standout of the night. The Spitfires’ top line of Protas, Greentree, and Belchetz combined for an impressive 12 points.

While the Spitfires’ offense was firing on all cylinders, their defense showed some vulnerabilities, allowing the Storm to score five goals and keep the game competitive. This defensive lapse is a trend that head coach Greg Walters will likely want to address, as the team has now allowed 15 goals in their last three games.

The win improves Windsor’s home record to 16-2-0-1, giving them the best home winning percentage in the Canadian Hockey League at .868. This victory also keeps them firmly in second place in the OHL’s Western Conference.

For the Guelph Storm, despite the loss, they showed resilience in continuing to battle back against a strong Windsor team. The Storm’s offense, led by Charlie Paquette and Wil McFadden, managed to keep pace with the high-scoring Spitfires for much of the game.

As the OHL trade deadline (January 10) approaches, this game showcases why the Windsor Spitfires are considered strong contenders, while also highlighting areas where they might look to improve to solidify their championship aspirations.

Photos: Daryl Hermann – In Play! magazine

The post Spitfires vs Storm Game Report January 2, 2025 appeared first on In Play! magazine.

Windsor Spitfires vs Flint Firebirds December 31, 2024

The Windsor Spitfires rang in the New Year with a thrilling 6-4 victory over the Flint Firebirds in front of a packed house of 6,462 fans at the WFCU Centre. The game was a tale of two halves, with Windsor dominating early before Flint mounted a spirited comeback attempt.

First Period

Windsor came out firing on all cylinders, building an impressive 5-0 lead in the opening frame:

1. 3:08 – Ethan Garden (3) assisted by Woodall
2. 4:11 – Ilya Protas (21) assisted by Belchetz and Greentree
3. 11:37 – Jack Nesbitt (15) assisted by Lemieux and Greentree
4. 13:20 – Ethan Belchetz (10) assisted by Greentree and Protas
5. 15:47 – Noah Morneau (13) assisted by Abraham

Penalties: Konyen (Flint) – Tripping at 19:55

Second Period

Flint showed resilience, scoring three unanswered goals to narrow the gap:

6. 6:39 – Cole Zurawski (6) assisted by Flugins
7. 7:27 – Nathan Aspinall (9) assisted by Lombardi and Clattenburg (Power Play)
8. 14:23 – Jimmy Lombardi (6) assisted by K. Pitre and Podrekar

Penalties:

• Spellacy (Windsor) – Hooking at 6:58
• Mania (Flint) – Hooking at 7:56
• Mania (Flint) and Greentree (Windsor) – Fighting at 10:13
• Frolov (Flint) – High Sticking at 12:15

Third Period

Flint continued to press, bringing the game within one goal before Windsor sealed the win:

9. 16:47 – Connor Clattenburg (12) assisted by Mania and Lombardi (Power Play)
10. 19:47 – Liam Greentree (25) assisted by Protas (Empty Net)

Penalties:

• Aspinall (Flint) – Tripping at 11:02
• Cristoforo (Windsor) – Interference at 13:57
• Eichler (Windsor) – Boarding at 16:13

Game Statistics

Shots on Goal:

• Flint: 11-9-12 = 32
• Windsor: 9-4-3 = 16

Goaltender Performance:

• Flint:
  • Bender: 5 saves on 9 shots (1st period)
  • Day: 6 saves on 6 shots (2nd and 3rd periods)
• Windsor:
  • Costanzo: 28 saves on 32 shots

Power Play:

• Flint: 2 for 3
• Windsor: 0 for 4

Key Performers

• Liam Greentree (Windsor): 1 goal, 3 assists, 1 fight (Gordie Howe Hat Trick)
• Ilya Protas (Windsor): 1 goal, 2 assists
• Jimmy Lombardi (Flint): 1 goal, 2 assists

Conclusion

Despite being outshot 32-16, the Windsor Spitfires held on for their fifth consecutive victory, improving their record to an impressive 26-7-2-1. The Spitfires will look to carry this momentum into their next game at home against the Guelph Storm on January 4, 2025.

Photos: Daryl Hermann – In Play! magazine

The post Windsor Spitfires vs Flint Firebirds December 31 2024 appeared first on In Play! magazine.