Windsor Spitfires Deflate Saginaw Spirit
Michael DiPietro made 16 saves as the Windsor Spitfires defeated the Saginaw Spirit 4-1 at the WFCU Centre Thursday night.
Gabe Vilardi and Aaron Luchuk paced the Spitfires (36-15-5-3) offensively with a goal and an assist apiece while Adam Laishram and Graham Knott had the other goals for Windsor.
Vilardi extended his goal-scoring streak to four games while also advancing his point-scoring streak to eight games with his offensive output. The second-year centre and top prospect for the 2017 National Hockey League Entry Draft was also making his return to the Spits lineup after missing one game do to a lower body injury.
Keaton Middleton had the only goal of the game for the Spirit (22-27-7-2) when he opened the scoring just under two minutes into the first period.
Saginaw netminder Brendan Bonello was steady while making 23 saves, despite allowing four goals in the game.
DiPietro’s win in goal for the Spitfires was his tenth straight at the WFCU Centre and pushed the team to within one point of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds for first place atop the Ontario Hockey League’s West Division standings.
The Spitfires schedule has them return to action Friday night when they take on the London Knights at the Budweiser Gardens.
Check out Tim Jarrold’s game photos.
