Firebirds and Spitfires going the distance in West Final
A back-and-forth Western Conference Championship Series is going to Game 7 tonight in Windsor after the Spitfires extended their season on Andrew Perrott’s late OT winner Tuesday night.
Windsor has taken early leads a few times throughout the series and has had some trouble holding onto those. It was Flint’s Ethan Keppen opening the scoring in Game 6 as the Spitfires played from behind, drawing even on Daniel D’Amico’s second of the night in the third period. Perrott scored with 1:18 remaining in overtime as the Spits return to the WFCU Centre for what they hope will be a big Wednesday night crowd for Game 7.
Andrew Perrott (@AndrewPerrott1), Game 6 overtime hero!#OHLPlayoffs | #WSRvsFLNT pic.twitter.com/YwG8joHMW2
— OntarioHockeyLeague (@OHLHockey) June 1, 2022
Windsor has outshot Flint 263-197 through six games, with overage netminder Luke Cavallin standing out as a big reason for the Firebirds’ success. He turned in 54 saves on Tuesday, giving the Birds a very real shot at closing out the series on home ice.
Both teams are undoubtedly a little banged up, with Flint missing Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Braeden Kressler in Game 6. They saw the return of both Coulson Pitre and Tag Bertuzzi to the lineup Tuesday night. It remains to be seen if Kressler will play in Game 7. Riley Piercey, who was suspended for Game 5, slotted back in and found the back of the net on Tuesday.
The Spitfires have been without Detroit Red Wings prospect Pasquale Zito throughout the series, though he did suit up for warmups in Game 5. Matt Onuska left Game 5 with an injury after surrendering three goals on eight shots. Xavier Medina made his first start of the 2022 playoffs on Tuesday, making 31 saves as the Spits lived to play another day.
Game 6 overtime hero Andrew Perrott joins @SpitsHockey head coach Marc Savard in evaluating Tuesday’s valiant effort while @FlintFirebirds coach Ted Dent and forward Ethan Keppen look ahead to Game 7.#WSRvsFLNT Game 6 Post-Game ?: https://t.co/DcCyORhPaP pic.twitter.com/boHdcjLRFc
— OntarioHockeyLeague (@OHLHockey) June 1, 2022
The Firebirds will suit up in their second Game 7 matchup of these playoffs after getting the better of the Owen Sound Attack on home ice in the first round. Kressler had a goal and two assists in that 4-2 win over Owen Sound on May 4th at the Dort Financial Center.
Several veterans on both sides face the prospect of playing in their final game in the Ontario Hockey League. Expect both teams to leave it all out on the ice tonight, with the winner advancing to face Hamilton in the OHL Championship Series.
Catch tonight’s game on YourTV in Windsor, live across Ontario on the OHL Action Pak, and streaming everywhere else on CHL TV.
The Series so far:
Game 1 – Flint 4 at Windsor 3 (FLNT: Cavallin 35 SV, Bertuzzi 2G)
Game 2 – Flint 2 at Windsor 7 (WSR: Maggio 3G, Cuylle 2G)
Game 3 – Windsor 3 at Flint 6 (FLNT: Kressler 2G, 1A, Keppen 1G, 1A)
Game 4 – Windsor 4 at Flint 2 (WSR: Henault 2A, Currie 2A)
Game 5 – Flint 4 at Windsor 3 (FLNT: Cavallin 42 SV, Othmann 1G, 2A)
Game 6 – Windsor 3 at Flint 2 (OT) (WSR: Perrott GWG, D’Amico 2G)
Flint Game 7 history (1-0):
2022 – defeated Owen Sound in 1st round
Windsor Game 7 history (7-4-1):
2017 – lost to London in first round / 2011 – defeated Erie in first round / 2010 – defeated Kitchener in Western Conference Final / 2006 – lost to Plymouth in first round / 2005 – defeated Sault Ste. Marie in first round / 2003 – lost to London in first round / 2000 – defeated Sarnia in first round / 1992 – lost to Kitchener in first round / 1991 – defeated London in first round / 1980 – defeated Brantford in semi-final / 1979 – tied London 3-3 — defeated London 3-2 in protest game — both teams advanced due to protest /
