Spitfires Fall in Back-and-Forth Tilt to Erie 6-5
WINDSOR, ON.
The Windsor Spitfires had some congratulations in order to start the game as the team honoured overagers Max Donoso and Djibril Toure. Donoso a native of Windsor started his last game in his hometown of Windsor. Unfortunately, Toure was unable to play due to a lower-body injury. On Thursday the Erie Otters were in town for their 67th game of the season. The Spitfires have gone 1-1-0-1 against them this season. They currently sit 5th heading into tonight’s game with 69 points and tied with Guelph. On Thursday, the Otters were beneficiaries of the see-saw game and won by a final score of 6-5.
In the first period, it would be a back and forth battle between the two teams. The Spitfires broke the deadlock first as Abraham stripped the defender off the puck and fed Zhugin who passed it to Greentree in front of the net and he scored his 34th of the season. Spellacy would have a penalty shot as he broke in shorthanded and was hooked up. He unfortunately couldn’t convert on the shot. The Otters would tie the game a minute later on the powerplay. Just a minute and a half later, Abraham restored the Spitfire lead with his 30th goal of the season. Walton had the lone assist on the goal. Just under four minutes later, the Otters would respond and tie the game at 2. Just 1:10 later the Spitfires would take the lead with a powerplay goal as Greentree scored his 2nd from the night with a great feed from Davis and Abraham. The Spitfires led 3-2 heading into the 2nd period but trailed 21-7 in shots.
In the second period, the teeter-totter game continued. Erie would tie the game up with a shorthanded goal. Four minutes later, the Spitfires were able to sustain some offensive zone pressure and Zhugin scored to put the Spits up 4-3. Another 4 minutes later, the Otters would tie the game at 4 apiece. The Spitfires were trailing in shots 40-15 through 40 minutes.
In the third period, the Otters would gain their first lead. Daviault went end to end and snuck it by the pad to give the Otters a 5-4 lead. Six minutes later, the Otters would score and go up 6-4. The Spitfires would press in the final few minutes trying to get back into the game. The Spitfires were able to spring Spellacy with a breakaway pass and he scored for a Spitfires 5th goal however it was too little too late with just 11 seconds left. The Otters would hang onto the 6-5 win.
The Spitfires hit the road Friday and Saturday for tilts in London and Saginaw, both scheduled for 7:05pm.