Posted on by John Humphrey
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22
Sep

Cole Carter had three points and Michael DiPietro made 18 saves as the Windsor Spitfires defeat Erie Otters 4-1 Thursday night in the first game of the 2016-2017 Ontario Hockey League season for both clubs.

Carter, a second-year right-winger, scored his first goal of the season on a shorthanded and unassisted effort in the first period. He also chipped in with two assists on the night.

The Spitfires received single goals from four different players to use a balanced scoring attack to roll past the Otters. In addition to Carter, the Spitfires received makers from Cole Purboo, Aaron Luchuk and Hayden McCool. Purboo scored what proved to be the game winner winner with his first career OHL goal with a minute and a half left in the first period. Luchuk added his first goal of the young campaign to put the Spitfires up 31 after the opening 20 minutes of the new season.

Spits’ second-year left-winger Luke Boca doubled his assist total from last season with a pair of helpers in the contest.

DiPietro, who had the lowest goals against average of all OHL rookie netminders last season, was stellar and steady while having to make only 18 saves to pick up the win. Jake Lawr made 24 saves in a losing effort for the Otters.

Shaun Bily scored the only goal of the game for Erie on a first period powerplay.

The Spitfires play their second game of the season Friday night in Sault Ste. Marie when they take on the Greyhounds.

Photos by Tim Jarrold – In Play! magazine

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John Humphrey

John Humphrey loves to write about any hockey team or player with particular interest in the OHL. He brings you a no holds barred view of the OHL and Windsor Spitfires. John Humphrey is a Windsor-born, raised and educated freelance writer whose career has spanned three decades. In addition to being a contributing writer for OHL Classics, a book published by the Ontario Hockey League, he has contributed to such publications as Hockey Weekly, The OHL News and The Hockey News. He also continues to serve as as a stringer for the Canadian Press, covering the OHL and the Windsor Spitfires.