Windsor Spitfires vs. Owen Sound Attack: Game Review November 26, 2025
Final Score: Windsor Spitfires 3, Owen Sound Attack 1
The Windsor Spitfires secured an impressive 3-1 victory against the Owen Sound Attack in a defensive showdown on Wednesday night at the WFCU Centre. The game featured outstanding goaltending performances on both sides as the two division leaders battled for supremacy in front of 5,001 fans.
Game Flow and Highlights
The Attack struck first in the opening period when rookie Jackman capitalized on a blocked shot to score his third goal of the season. Owen Sound outshot Windsor 10-9 in the first frame, taking a 1-0 lead into intermission.
Windsor equalized late in the second period with a crucial special teams play. Cole Davis notched his 11th goal of the season, scoring unassisted while shorthanded with just over a minute remaining in the period. This marked the Spitfires’ seventh shorthanded goal of the season, showing their prowess on the penalty kill.
The third period began with 4-on-4 action following some late second-period animosity. Just 17 seconds in, AJ Spellacy gave Windsor the lead with a beautiful backhand finish after racing down the wing for his seventh goal of the campaign. Anthony Cristoforo sealed the win with an empty-net goal in the final minutes.
Standout Performances
Joey Costanzo was the game’s brightest star for Windsor, outdueling one of the top goaltenders in Canada according to Spitfires’ head coach Greg Walters. Costanzo, who leads the OHL with an impressive 1.86 goals-against average, made several critical saves among his 25 total stops to preserve the victory. His record improved to 13-3-1-0 on the season.
For Owen Sound, goaltender George also performed admirably despite the loss, making 23 saves on 25 shots. His record fell to 9-7-0-2 for the season.
Cole Davis played a crucial role in the win, scoring the tying goal shorthanded and later assisting on Spellacy’s game-winner. His leadership was particularly important with the Spitfires missing key offensive players.
Key Moments and Turning Points
The shorthanded goal by Davis late in the second period completely shifted momentum in Windsor’s favor after Owen Sound had controlled much of the early action. This special teams success proved pivotal in changing the game’s trajectory.
Spellacy’s go-ahead goal just 17 seconds into the third period stunned the Attack and energized the home crowd. The quick strike immediately following intermission demonstrated Windsor’s ability to capitalize on critical moments.
Perhaps most impressive was Windsor’s defensive effort against Owen Sound’s potent offense. The Attack entered the game with the Western Conference’s top-scoring offense but were held under two goals for the first time this season—a testament to Windsor’s defensive structure and Costanzo’s goaltending.
Team Context and Implications
The victory was particularly impressive considering Windsor was missing two key offensive players. Ethan Belchetz was representing the CHL against the United States in an NHL prospects event in Alberta, while Jack Nesbitt was serving the second game of a three-game suspension for a match penalty received in Saginaw the previous Saturday.
The win reinforced Windsor’s position atop their division, while dealing a blow to Owen Sound’s standing as Midwest Division leaders. Both teams entered the contest leading their respective divisions, making this a potential playoff preview between two OHL powerhouses.
Windsor’s ability to shut down Owen Sound’s offense—which had scored at least two goals in every game this season prior to this matchup—demonstrates their championship potential and balanced approach to the game.
The Spitfires will look to build on this momentum with upcoming road games in Guelph on Friday and a rematch against Owen Sound on Saturday, setting up an intriguing weekend of OHL action following this impressive victory.
Photos: Nick Meloche – In Play! magazine
