Extra Time Not Kind to the Spitfires, Fall 3-2 in Overtime
The Spitfires fell in a shootout last time out on Wednesday to the Bulldogs by a score of 5-4. On Saturday the Spitfires started out on a tough stretch of games with the first of a three game in three night stretch. On Saturday the Spitfires were set to faceoff against a familiar foe in the Firebirds in Flint. The Firebirds have been red-hot as of late with a four-game win streak coming into tonight’s game. On Saturday both teams played cautiously and a closely contested affair ended in a 3-2 loss in overtime for the Spitfires
In the first period, both teams would play a cautious game as both teams needed a win to help their playoff hopes. The Spitfires were 12 points behind Flint with two games in hand heading into tonight’s game. The Spitfires would outshoot the Firebirds 11-8 through the period but were unable to break through. The Firebirds would open the scoring as Kostov broke in behind the defence and shoveled in his 10th of the year. After twenty minutes, Flint would lead 1-0 heading into the intermission.
In the second period, the Spitfires would apply a lot of pressure with 13 shots and appear to tie up the game. A 2 on 1 broke out with Abraham and Greentree, and Abraham fed Greentree who went to the backhand and scored only to be ruled no goal on an offside review. Just 25 seconds later, the Spitfires would get it right back and it counted as Woodall shot the puck at the net and it hit off of Greenwell into the goal for his 3rd of the year. After 40, we were tied 1-1.
In the third period, it came down to the dying embers of the game. With under 4 minutes to play, the Firebirds would come in over the blue line and rip one into the goal to take a 2-1 lead. Just a minute and nine seconds later the Spitfires responded. A stretch pass from Cristoforo fed Spellacy in on a breakaway and he was hooked up but still managed to dangle the goalie and tie the game at two with a big goal. Sixty minutes solved nothing and we were off to overtime.
In the overtime frame, the Firebirds would crisscross in the Spitfires zone and leave Lombardi wide open, and he went top-shelf for the win and an all important second point for the Firebirds.
The Spitfires get right back at it tomorrow at 4:05pm when the Soo Greyhounds come to town.
