Windsor Spitfires Dominate Flint Firebirds in 5-2 Victory at WFCU Centre
Game Summary
The Windsor Spitfires delivered a commanding 5-2 victory over the Flint Firebirds on Sunday, November 2, 2025, at the WFCU Centre in Windsor. Led by captain Liam Greentree’s impressive hat trick performance, the Spitfires bounced back strong after suffering a 6-3 road loss to the Saginaw Spirit the previous night.
First Period Domination
Windsor set the tone early, outshooting Flint by a staggering 14-2 margin in the opening period. The Spitfires’ aggressive forecheck and puck possession resulted in a 3-0 lead after twenty minutes. Greentree netted two of his three goals in the first period, while also assisting on Ethan Belchetz’s goal to complete the first-period scoring.
Game Flow
The Firebirds showed signs of life in the second period when Jimmy Lombardi and Chase Hull scored to cut Windsor’s lead to 4-2 heading into the final frame. However, the Spitfires’ defense tightened up in the third period, limiting Flint’s opportunities. Greentree completed his hat trick with an empty-net goal to seal the 5-2 victory.
Standout Performances
Captain Liam Greentree was the undisputed star of the game with four points (three goals, one assist). The Los Angeles Kings prospect now has 119 career goals, placing him sixth on the Spitfires’ all-time goal scoring list behind franchise legends Ernie Godden, current GM Bill Bowler, Blair Barnes, Taylor Hall, and Tim Findlay.
Sophomore forward Ethan Garden, filling in for the scratched Jack Nesbitt (Philadelphia Flyers prospect) on the top line, contributed an assist on Greentree’s second goal and created multiple scoring chances throughout the game. Head coach Greg Walters praised Garden’s performance, noting his ability to make the right plays and serve as a “safety valve” for his linemates.
Defenseman Carson Woodall continued his strong season with two assists, extending his impressive point streak. Forward Caden Harvey also contributed to the scoring with a goal for Windsor.
Special Teams Excellence
The Spitfires’ penalty killing was exceptional, successfully killing all six Flint power play opportunities, including a crucial full two-minute 5-on-3 advantage. This performance highlighted Windsor’s league-leading 88.4 percent penalty kill rate, a significant improvement from previous seasons.
Windsor went 1-for-4 on their own power play chances, showing efficiency with the man advantage.
Statistical Breakdown
The Spitfires outshot the Firebirds 30-20 overall, demonstrating their territorial advantage throughout the game. Windsor’s first-period shot advantage (14-2) set the tone for their dominant performance.
Standings Impact
With the victory, the Windsor Spitfires improved their record to 13-3-1-1 (28 points), maintaining their position atop the Ontario Hockey League’s Western Conference standings. The Spitfires have been the conference leaders since winning their first seven games of the season and continue to hold that position despite some recent challenges.
The Flint Firebirds’ record fell to 8-6-1-0 (17 points) with the loss, keeping them competitive in the West Division but falling further behind the division-leading Spitfires.
Coach’s Perspective
Following the game, Spitfires’ head coach Greg Walters emphasized the team’s strategic adjustments after their Saturday loss: “We changed up some things, structure-wise, and the boys bought in. Just taking time and space away and went back to old faithful in the third and the boys shut that game down nicely.”
Player Quotes
Captain Liam Greentree acknowledged he had been struggling recently and felt the need to elevate his game, particularly with Nesbitt out of the lineup: “I knew I needed to step up. I’ve been fighting it the last couple of games. Everything was just clicking today with the top line.”
Reflecting on his achievement of reaching sixth place on the Spitfires’ all-time goal scoring list, Greentree added, “It’s been four seasons with Windsor and the best four seasons of my life. I’m just honoured to be a Spitfire and to wear that crest all the time.”
Looking Ahead
The Spitfires will look to build on this momentum as they prepare to host the Kingston Frontenacs at the WFCU Centre on Thursday, followed by a home game against the Brampton Steelheads on Saturday, November 8.
This victory serves as an important bounce-back win for Windsor, demonstrating their resilience and ability to refocus after a disappointing loss. As they continue their pursuit of OHL supremacy, the Spitfires’ blend of offensive firepower, defensive commitment, and special teams excellence makes them one of the teams to beat in the 2025-26 season.
Photos: Tim Jarrold – In Play! magazine
