Spits Lose 5-4 in a Crucial Game Against Flint
As we welcomed back Oliver Peer and Roberto Mancini, it was clear that tonight’s home game against Flint would hold critical indications for a late season playoff push. With just 12 games remaining and sitting 9 points out, the Spits hope to squeeze in the 8th seed relied on beating Flint in their remaining three games against them!
Period one started off relatively slow with a lot of neutral zone action. Each team was searching for the perfect chance to pounce and open the scoring. Just over the halfway mark of the frame, Firebird Connor Clattenburg would pot the first goal of the game giving Flint the lead. This lead was short lived however, as Cole Davis got the deflection out front, and tied it up just two minutes later! Moments later, we would see both #12’s get in each other’s faces and eventually into the box for offsetting penalties. Winegard would also be sent off for a cross check far away from the play. Thankfully the PK unit would stay strong and maintain the tie score. During some 4 on 4 hockey, Carson Woodall would catch a stretch pass from Toure, and rifle a shot past Nathan Day to make it 2-1 Windsor!!! With dying seconds in the frame, Cole Davis would catch a shorthanded stretch pass and would bury his 2nd of the night, and 20th of the season! The Spits grabbed a 3-1 lead with 17 seconds left in the 1st period. Just as fans were leaving to hit the concessions, former Spitfire Roberto Mancini would score with just 3 seconds left to shorten Windsor’s lead.
Period two started off with a bang as Noah Morneau found the back of the net just 1:20 into the frame. The back and forth action would then continue as each team fired shot after shot. Around 8 minutes into the period, Winegard would be sent back to the box for a trip, however Windsor’s PK remained strong and held out. The Firebirds continued to press and had Windsor fans on their toes. Eventually, Flint’s relentless efforts would break through Donoso, and make it yet again a one goal game. Despite giving up a late goal, Windsor would be gifted a late powerplay that would carry over into the 3rd period.
What seemed like an opportunity to extend their lead once more, turned out to be the exact opposite. Flint would score 25 seconds into the frame shorthanded completely turning the WFCU upside down. Both teams had now given up shorthanded goals, and at this point, there was no telling who would come out on top. Windsor would head back to the power play soon after, but would again fail to convert on the man advantage. Deadlocked it seemed, both teams wouldn’t budge an inch in this close contest. Flint would find an “open” scoring chance at the halfway mark of the period, however Max Donoso would make an impressive toe-pad save and keep the game tied. Despite his great save moments earlier, #92 would let Nathan Aspinal squeeze one by and Flint would take back the lead, 5-4. Time was ticking down, and Oliver Peer would be assessed a minor penalty for interference giving Windsor another power play chance. Flint’s PK held strong and limited Windsor’s scoring chances. Windsor would send the goalie to the bench with over a minute remaining and unleash the extra attacker. Some great chances were created, but ultimately, Windsor would fall short losing to Flint 5-4.
With time winding down on the season, the push just became a bit more difficult after a hard fought loss.
