Windsor Spitfires vs Soo Greyhounds March 27 2025 Gallery

The Windsor Spitfires kicked off their 2025 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) playoff campaign with a resounding 7-2 victory over the Soo Greyhounds on March 27 at the WFCU Centre. The win gives the second-seeded Spitfires a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference quarter-final series against the seventh-seeded Greyhounds.

Game Breakdown

First Period

The Spitfires wasted no time asserting their dominance, scoring two quick goals in the opening minutes:

1. 2:08 – Carson Woodall (1) assisted by Anthony Cristoforo and Ilya Protas
2. 3:34 – Cole Davis (1) assisted by Liam Spellacy and Ethan Garden

Second Period

The action intensified in the second period with both teams finding the back of the net:
3. 0:37 – Liam Greentree (1) assisted by Ilya Protas
4. 0:53 – Travis Hayes (1) assisted by Martin and BR Smith (Soo Greyhounds)
5. 13:54 – Owen Allard (1) assisted by Noel Nordh and Reid (Soo Greyhounds) (Power Play)
6. 18:54 – Noah Morneau (1) assisted by Ilya Protas and Liam Greentree (Power Play)

Third Period

Windsor sealed the deal with three more goals in the final frame:
7. 9:50 – Noah Morneau (2) assisted by Ilya Protas and Liam Greentree
8. 14:12 – Liam Greentree (2) (Empty Net)
9. 14:28 – Luke McNamara (1) assisted by Jack Nesbitt and Abraham

Key Statistics

• Total Shots on Goal: Windsor 37, Soo Greyhounds 16
• Power Play: Windsor 1/4, Soo Greyhounds 1/4
• Goaltender Saves:
  • Joey Costanzo (Windsor): 14 saves on 16 shots
  • Nolan Lalonde (Soo Greyhounds): 30 saves on 36 shots

Notable Performances

The Spitfires’ top line was unstoppable, with Liam Greentree (2G, 2A) and Ilya Protas (4A) each recording four-point nights. Noah Morneau also contributed significantly with two goals.

Greentree, the Spitfires’ captain, expressed his satisfaction with the win: “It’s been a long time coming, obviously, and that just makes that one that much sweeter.” For many Spitfires players, this marked their first playoff victory, despite having over 1,800 games of combined league experience.

Game Flow and Key Moments

Windsor’s fast start set the tone for the entire game. The Spitfires’ early 2-0 lead forced the Greyhounds to call a timeout less than four minutes into the contest. Although Soo managed to close the gap to 3-2 midway through the second period, Windsor’s Noah Morneau scored a crucial power-play goal with just over a minute left in the second, restoring the two-goal lead and shifting momentum back to the Spitfires.

Greyhounds forward Owen Allard admitted his team was caught off guard: “Our start wasn’t great. I feel like we were a bit shellshocked. It’s a lot of our team’s first playoff game, so it’s definitely a different atmosphere.”

Coaches’ Perspectives

Spitfires head coach Greg Walters praised his team’s performance: “I thought our guys competed extremely hard, we matched their physicality, we were disciplined and our best players were our best players.”

On the other hand, Greyhounds coach John Dean acknowledged his team’s struggles: “There’s so many areas we can improve upon. It would be scarier if we felt like we played a good game and still couldn’t find a way to get it done. A lot of errors in our own end. Very disconnected as a group.”

Looking Ahead

The dominant win sets a strong tone for the Spitfires as they continue their playoff journey. Game 2 of the series is scheduled for Saturday, March 29, 2025, at 7:05 p.m. at the WFCU Centre. The Greyhounds will be looking to regroup and even the series before it shifts to Sault Ste. Marie for Games 3 and 4.

As the playoffs progress, both teams will need to adapt quickly. For Windsor, maintaining their high level of play and offensive output will be crucial. The Greyhounds, meanwhile, must find ways to generate more offense and tighten up their defense if they hope to compete in this series.

Photos: Glenn Gervais – In Play! magazine