Spitfires Fall in OT in Sudbury 9-8 after Wild Affair
The Spitfires fell last night in North Bay and were up against another tough task in the Sudbury Wolves on Friday night. The Wolves a top team in the Eastern Conference have been struggling as of late losing their last 4 of 5 games. On Friday night, it was an absolute shootout as the Wolves would narrowly beat the Spitfires in overtime by a score of 9-8.
In the first period, the Wolves would dictate the play with 13 shots but the Spitfires were able to capitalize on their chances. The Wolves broke the deadlock just seven minutes into the game with McCallum scoring his 19th. The Spitfires would go on a run with a seeing eye shot from Woodall at the point and it found it’s way into the net to tie the game at 1. Six minutes later, the Spitfires would strike shorthanded as Smith found Struthers on a 2 on 1 to make it 2-1 Spitfires. Just over a minute and a half later, the Spitfires would strike on the powerplay to make it 3-1. Eichler would shoot the puck from the point and Martin would tip in his 6th on the year. In the final minute, the Wolves would score to make it a 3-2 game. A story that has continued all season long as the Spitfires gave up a goal in the final minute or the first minute of a period. The shots were 13-9 in favour of the Wolves after 20 minutes.
In the second period, goals would come fast and furious. The Spitfires would score twice in 26 seconds from Greentree and Smith to take a commanding 5-2 lead. However, the high powered Sudbury offense would not be stopped. The Wolves would score four unanswered goals and take a 6-5 lead heading into the third period.
In the third period, the Wolves would add a fifth unanswered goal to make it 7-5. The Spitfires would stop the bleeding for a few minutes as Greentree would score on a wrap-around to make it 7-6. Just two minutes later, the Wolves responded to go up 8-6. With just under six minutes to play, Nesbitt would find Gaymes for his 2nd in the OHL in as many games. With 5:48 left in the game, the Spitfires trailed by 1. Just over two minutes later, the Spitfires would tie the game on the powerplay as Morneau unleashed a blast from the point. After 60 minutes we were headed to OT.
In the overtime frame, the Spitfires would give up a breakaway and Musty would end it with his 4th goal of the night.
The Spitfires are back in action tomorrow Saturday the 9th of March as they travel to the Soo. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:07pm
