Spitfires and Rangers go to the Shootout

Gabriel Vilardi scored the shootout winner as the Windsor Spitfires edged the Kitchener Rangers 3-2 at the WFCU Centre Thursday night.

Windsor goaltender Michael DiPietro was outstanding in making 36 saves, even remaining in net after taking a shot to the neck off the stick of Kitchener defenceman Frank Hora late in the third period. DiPietro also stopped all four Rangers shots in the shootout.

Aaron Luchuk and Logan Stanley had the other goals for the Spitfires (26-8-4-1) who had just three shots on goal in the third period when they were unsuccessful in defending a one-goal lead in the final frame of regulation.

Jeremy Bracco, (tonight’s Windsor Spitfire In Play! as chosen by the Windsor Spitfires) acquired in a blockbuster deal with the Rangers earlier in the week, notched his first point as a Spitfire by assisting on Stanley’s second period goal.

Connor Bunnaman had both goals for the Rangers (22-14-2-2) during regulation time but was stopped in the shootout while Luke Opilka made 18 saves.

The Windsor Spitfires schedule has them return to action Friday night when they hit the road to take on the Sting in Sarnia.

Check out game photos by Tim Jarrold – In Play! magazine HERE.