Windsor Spitfires Dominate Guelph Storm 5-1 on Teddy Bear Toss Night November 23, 2025
The Windsor Spitfires delivered a commanding performance against the Guelph Storm, securing a decisive 5-1 victory during their annual Teddy Bear Toss game at the WFCU Centre on Sunday, November 23, 2025. The win further solidifies Windsor’s strong position in the OHL’s West Division, improving their record to 17-5-2-1.
Game Highlights
The Spitfires electrified the crowd of 5,358 fans with an explosive first period, scoring four goals to effectively put the game out of reach early. Defenseman Carson Woodall opened the scoring just 1:33 into the game with an unassisted goal that triggered the cascade of teddy bears onto the ice – his 6th goal of the season. Before the excitement could settle, Brocklehurst doubled Windsor’s lead just 13 seconds later, scoring his second of the season assisted by Makysh.
Guelph’s lone goal came midway through the first period when Shybinskyi found the back of the net at 10:39, with assists from Paquette and Spada. However, Windsor responded emphatically with two more goals before the intermission. Lemieux scored a shorthanded goal at 16:19 (his 9th of the season), followed by Davis scoring his 10th goal of the campaign just 59 seconds later to give the Spitfires a commanding 4-1 lead.
After a scoreless second period, Windsor added one more in the third when Spellacy converted on the power play at 1:32, with assists from Makysh and Cristoforo.
Standout Performances
Goaltender Newlove was outstanding for the Spitfires, stopping 25 of 26 shots to earn his fifth win of the season. His counterpart Ellsworth made 18 saves on 23 shots for Guelph in a losing effort.
The Spitfires’ special teams excelled, with Lemieux’s shorthanded goal highlighting their penalty-killing prowess. Windsor also went 1-for-3 on the power play, while successfully killing all four of Guelph’s man-advantage opportunities.
Carson Woodall’s performance was particularly notable as the defenseman not only scored the crucial opening “Teddy Bear” goal but made team history in the process. In post-game interviews, Woodall mentioned he had never attended a Teddy Bear Toss game growing up, making his goal even more meaningful.
Key Moments
The lightning-quick start by Windsor proved to be the decisive factor in the game, with two goals in the opening 1:46 immediately putting Guelph on their heels. Despite Guelph’s attempt to gain momentum with Shybinskyi’s goal, the Spitfires’ ability to respond with two more goals before the end of the first period effectively crushed any hopes of a Storm comeback.
The second period saw tighter defensive play from both teams, with no goals scored despite several power play opportunities. Windsor’s disciplined defensive structure limited Guelph to just 6 shots in the middle frame, compared to 15 in the first period.
OHL Standings Impact
This victory further strengthens Windsor’s position near the top of the OHL standings with a 17-5-2-1 record. The loss drops Guelph to 11-11-2-0, keeping them in the middle of the pack in the Midwest Division.
The win was Windsor’s second consecutive victory, following a 4-1 triumph over Saginaw Spirit on November 21. With this strong performance, the Spitfires continue to establish themselves as serious contenders in the Ontario Hockey League.
The teams will face off again on Friday, November 28, 2025, at the Sleeman Centre in Guelph, where the Storm will look to avenge this decisive loss on home ice.
Photos: Tim Jarrold – In Play! magazine
