Reversal of Fortune as Spitfires Sweep Three Weekend Games
What a difference a week made for the Windsor Spitfires. Just a week after losing three straight games, including one in overtime, the Spitfires completely reversed their fortune by winning all three weekend games a week later, and in convincing fashion by outscoring the opposition by a combined score of 18-6
The hat-trick of wins followed an unproductive previous weekend that saw the Spitfires lose all three games, including once in overtime. The Spitfires responded with some of their worst performances of the 2022-2023 Ontario Hockey League season with some of their best games while dominating all three games just a week later
Thursday night, December 1, Liam Greentree and Colton Smith both scored twice and Matt Onuska made 26 saves as the Spitfires hammered the Oshawa Generals 7-2 at the WFCU Centre. Alex, Jacob Maillet and AJ Spellacy added singles as Windsor snapped its first losing streak of the season.
Thomas Stewart and Brett Harrison scored for the Generals both scored in the third period. Patrick Leaver started in net for the visitors and was pulled after allowing three goals on eight shots just past the midway point of the opening period. Carter Bickle made 18 saves in a relief effort for the Generals.
Greentree, a native of Oshawa, opened the scoring in the game just under ninety seconds into the first period. The 16-yea-old rookie, who was the Spits’ second round pick, 34th overall, in the2022 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection, was named the games first star.
The following night Oliver Peer paced the Spitfires offensively with a goal and two assists as the Spitfires defeated the Kitchener Rangers 6-2 at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium. Noah Morneau, Alex Christopoulos, Michael Renwick, Matthew Maggio and Smith all added single makers while Greentree and Anthony Cristofaro both chipped in with a pair of assists. Greentree’s pair of helpers were the first of his OHL career.
Carson Rehkopf and Trent Swick replied for the Rangers while Marco Constantino made 27 saves in net for the home team. Joey Costanzo made 25 stops to pick up the win in goal for the Spitfires.
The win was the second in two games for the Spitfires against the Rangers with both contests being played at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium. Windsor has outscored Kitchener 14-6 in the two contests, including a 8-4 decision in favour of the Spitfires on November 20.
Morneau, Ethan Miedema and Smith all scored a goal and added an assist as the Spitfires concluded their three games in three nights stretch win a 5-2 win over the Barrie Colts on Teddy Bear Toss Night.. Jacob Maillet and Peer had the other goals for the Spitfires while Cole Beaudoin and Ethan Cardwell replied for the Colts. Maillet and Smith both scored into an empty net during the last two minutes of the game.
Morneau’s second period marker was the Spitfires’ first of the game and sent the teddy bears flying onto the ice at the WFCU Centre while Cardwell’s 12th goal of the season for the Colts was scored on a penalty shot he was awarded after being hauled down on a breakaway.
Onuska made 18 saves while Ben West turned aside 28 shots.
The Spitfires return to action on Thursday, December 8 when they host the Ottawa 67s, who sit atop the OHL standings with a 21-4-0-0 record. Opening face-off is at 7:05 pm.