Spitfires Fall to Saginaw 8-5 in Final Game of the Season
The Spitfires were in Saginaw for the final time this season and the final game of the regular season. Two separate fates between the two teams; the Spirit are headed to the playoffs and hosts of the 2024 Memorial Cup; in the USA for the first time since 1992. Meanwhile, the Spitfires will miss the playoffs for the first time since 2015 and will have a top 4 pick in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection come April 12th. On Saturday, the Spitfires gave the Spirit a fight for 30 minutes but could not contain the firepower and lost 8-5.
In the first period, it took just 19 seconds for the Spirit to score and take a 1-0 lead. A few minutes later, the Spirit would double their lead as Christopoulos scored his 2nd of the game. Just over halfway through the period, the Spirit would extend their lead to 3-0 off a deflection. Just 33 seconds later, the Spitfires would respond as Zhugin sniped his 22nd short side and cut the lead to 3-1. With under five minutes to play in the period, the Spitfires cut the lead again. A powerplay tally from Spellacy as he deflected in a Greentree shot. just over a minute later, Greenwell was sprung on a breakaway and he scored to tie the game at 3! A wild first period would end tied 3-3 however the Spirit led in shots 18-13.
In the second period, the Spirit would gain some momentum with an early powerplay but fail to convert on it. A few minutes later, the Spirit would score and go up 4-3. Late in the frame, the Spirit would score on the powerplay to go up 5-3. Heading into the third, the shots were 33-21 in favour of the Spirit.
In the third period, the Spirit would extend their lead to 6-3 with just eight minutes to play. A few seconds later, the Spirit would make it 7-3. Late in the game the Spitfires would score as Zhugin scored his 2nd of the night and made it 7-4. A little fight still in the Spitfires as Greentree would score to make it 7-5. The Spitfires would pull the goalie and the Spirit would convert and go up 8-5 and that would do it.
The Spitfires will head for home as locker room cleanout is scheduled for Sunday.
Windsor will have their eyes set for the OHL Draft Lottery on Wednesday March 27th at 7pm.