High-Flying Spitfires Win Fourth Straight Game
The Windsor Spitfires extended their winning streak to four games following a sweep of three home games over the weekend. And the Ontario Hockey League’s Western Conference and West-division leaders from Windsor did it in convincing fashion, outscoring their opposition 20-7 as the team once again put its league-leading scoring prowess on display.
Colton Smith and Matthew Maggio both scored twice and added an assist as the Spitfires defeated the Sault Ste. Mare Greyhounds 7-4 as the team kicked off its work week at the WFCU Centre on Thursday, February 2. Shane Wright, James Jodoin and Oliver Peer had Windsor’s other goals while
Jordan D’Intino,Alex Kostov, Bryce McConnell-Barker and Justin Cloutier all replied for Sault Ste. Marie.
Ian Michelone, making his first career start for the Spitfires after being acquired in a trade from the Flint Firebirds earlier this season, made 34 saves to pick up the win in net for the Spitfires while starting Greyhounds netminder Samuel Ivanov made 11 saves before being replaced by Landon Miller, who entered the game at the start of the second period and made 16 saves in a relief effort.
The win was the second by the Spitfires over the Greyhounds in less than a week following a 9-4 decision at the GFL Gardens on January 27.
Two nights later, Liam Greentree and Maggio scored twice as the Spitfires doubled-up the Hamilton Bulldogs 6-3. Anthony Cristofaro and Smith had the other goals for Windsor while Nick Lardis, Masen Wray and Lawson Sherk all replied for Hamilton.
Joey Costanzo made 23 saves to pick up the win in goal while Matteo Drobac made 37 saves for the visitors in the game that featured the two teams that competed i the OHL Championships series that was won by the Bulldogs in seven games last summer.
The following night, Sunday, February 5, Jacob Maillet scored twice and added three assists as the Spitfires hammered the Owen Sound Attack 8-1. Cole Davis, with the first of his OHL career, Aidan Castle, Greentree, Maggio, Oliver Peer and Rodwin Dioncico all added singles.
Davis, the Spits’ fourth round pick in the 2022 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection, also had an assist in his OHL debut. Maggio added four assists for a five-point performance.
Costanzo made 24 saves for the Spitfires while Nick Chenard of Tecumseh made 28 stops for the Attack. Matthew Papais scored the lone goal for Owen Sound.
The Spitfires’ team captain, Maggio, was named the OHL Player of the Week as a result of his 11-point (five goal, six assists) performance in the three games. The Tecumseh native also leads the OHL in goals (40) and points (79).
The Spitfires return to action on Wednesday, February 8 when they take on the Flint Firebirds at the Dort Financial Center before returning to host the Greyhounds again at the WFCU Centre the following night.