Liam Greentree gave Windsor an early lead, beating Christian Kirsch at 6:51 of the first period. The Spitfires carried that 1-0 advantage into the first intermission, but the Rangers outshot the Spitfires 9-6 through twenty minutes.

Kitchener flipped the script in the second. Sam O”Reilly evened things up on the power play at 7:03, finishing off a sequence set up by Jack Pridham and Dylan Edwards. Less than two minutes later, the Rangers completed the momentum swing with a shorthanded tally. O’Reilly turned provider this time, teaming with Pridham on a 2-on-1 chance that converted at 9:00 to put Kitchener in front for good.

Kirsch was steady the rest of the way, turning aside all 10 Windsor shots in the third to finish with 27 saves and earn the victory. Joey Costanzo stopped 20 of 22 shots in a losing effort for the Spitfires.

Windsor went 0-for-4 on the power play while Kitchener cashed on one of three opportunities.

O'Reilly was named first star of the game, Kirsch second, and Greentree third.

Game 3 goes Monday in Windsor. Tickets www.windsorspitfires.com

Kitchener leads the series 2-0.

O'Reilly Ends It in OT

O'Reilly, one of the most dangerous players in the postseason, capped a back-and-forth contest by converting on a Spitfires penalty — Nathan Villeneuve's high-sticking call — to send a crowd of 7,363 home happy. Christian Humphreys and Cameron Reid drew the assists on the winner, as O'Reilly extended his remarkable playoff run to claim first-star honours.

Period-by-Period

The Spitfires drew first blood just 47 seconds in, as Anthony Cristoforo put Windsor ahead with a goal assisted by Carson Woodall and Andrew Robinson. Kitchener answered quickly, though, as Alexander Bilecki tied it at 4:07 with Vermeulen and Anstis assisting, before Dylan Edwards flipped the lead to the Rangers at 7:18 off helpers from Andonovski and Humphreys. The first period ended 2-1 in favour of Kitchener.

Windsor pulled even in the second period on a goal by Villeneuve at 17:13, assisted by Davis, before Jack Nesbitt gave the Spitfires the lead at 15:58. The Rangers knotted it again late in the frame, however, as Jack Pridham converted on the power play at 19:49 — assisted by O'Reilly and Humphreys — to send the game to the third period tied 3-3.

Neither side could find the winner in a scoreless third, setting the stage for overtime.

Between the Pipes

Joey Costanzo turned aside 27 shots in the overtime loss, while Kirsch earned the win for Kitchener with 20 saves. Windsor was held scoreless on its lone power-play opportunity, while the Rangers converted twice on four chances.

Up Next

Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals goes Sunday, April 26 in Kitchener, with puck drop set for 6:00 p.m. Kitchener leads the series 1-0.

FLINT, MI. — The Windsor Spitfires are headed to the Western Conference Finals.

With a composed and complete effort, the Spitfires defeated the Flint Firebirds 5-3 in Game 4 on Thursday night, completing the series sweep and punching their ticket to the next round of the OHL Playoffs.

Windsor responds after early Flint push

Flint struck first on home ice, as James Paul opened the scoring midway through the first period.

The Spitfires answered early in the second, as Anthony Cristoforo capitalized on the power play, finishing a setup from Carson Woodall, to even the game at 1-1.

Late in the period, Cole Davis gave Windsor its first lead of the night, burying a feed from John McLaughlin to send the Spitfires into the intermission up 2-1.

Spitfires take control in the third

Windsor carried that momentum into the third period, extending the lead just under four minutes in. Carson Woodall finished off a strong play from Cole Davis to make it 3-1.

Flint pushed back midway through the frame, as Nathan Aspinall struck twice, including a power play goal, to cut into the Windsor lead and keep the Firebirds within striking distance.

Fibigr delivers, Nesbitt seals it

The Spitfires responded when it mattered most.

Jakub Fibigr netted the eventual game-winning goal at 12:25 of the third period, finishing a play set up by John McLaughlin and Caden Harvey to restore a two-goal cushion.

Despite Flint continuing to press late, Windsor stayed composed defensively before Jack Nesbitt iced the game with an empty-net goal in the final minute, sealing the 5-3 victory.

On to the Western Conference Finals

With the win, Windsor completes the four-game sweep of Flint and advances to the Western Conference Finals.

The Spitfires will now await the winner between the Kitchener Rangers and Soo Greyhounds as they continue their push toward an OHL championship.

FLINT, MI. — The Windsor Spitfires are one win away from advancing to the next round of the OHL playoffs.

Riding a stout defensive effort and timely goaltending from Joey Costanzo, Windsor downed the Flint Firebirds 2-1 Monday night at the Dort Financial Center to take a 3-0 stranglehold on their second-round series.

Anthony Cristoforo opened the scoring at 3:32 of the first period, redirecting a feed from Nathan Villeneuve to give the Spitfires an early lead they would not relinquish. Windsor doubled its advantage midway through the second when Ethan Garden buried his marker at 4:27, assisted by Alex Pharand and John McLaughlin.

Flint got one back 1:56 into the third on a goal from Alex Kostov, set up by Luka Graziano and Jacob Battaglia, but that would be as close as the Firebirds would get. Costanzo was sharp throughout, turning aside 18 saves in the final frame alone and finishing with 26 stops on the night to earn the win.

At the other end, Flint netminder Mason Vaccari — a first star despite the defeat — made 25 saves before being pulled late in the third after the Firebirds drew a too-many-men penalty. Windsor did not convert on the ensuing power play, but Costanzo and the Spitfires defence slammed the door.

AJ Spellacy was named second star for Windsor.

The Firebirds held a 4-1 advantage in power play opportunities on the night but went scoreless, while Windsor also failed to convert on their lone man advantage. Windsor was assessed eight penalty minutes to Flint's two.

LOOKING AHEAD: The Spitfires carry their 3-0 series lead back home to Windsor for Game 4 tomorrow night. Windsor can complete the sweep and punch their ticket to the next round with a victory.

Windsor leads series 3-0

Spitfires stun Firebirds with incredible comeback win! Lead series 2-0

Harvey, Walton shine as Windsor holds on for 6-5 thriller at WFCU Centre

WINDSOR, Ont. — They needed every last second of it.

The Windsor Spitfires weathered a relentless second-period comeback by the Flint Firebirds and found their legs again in the third when it mattered most, closing out a heart-pounding 6-5 victory Sunday afternoon at a raucous WFCU Centre to grab a 2-0 series lead in the OHL's Western Conference semifinal.

Before a crowd of 5,010 — the energy inside the barn matching every twist and turn of a game that seemed to shift momentum by the minute — Windsor built a 3-2 lead after twenty minutes, the second period was all Firebirds and the third was all Spitfires.

It was the kind of playoff hockey that reminds you why the spring is special.

A DOMINANT FIRST SETS THE TONE

Windsor came out flying. Caden Harvey opened the scoring at 4:09 of the first, finishing off feeds from Jakub Fibigr and Ethan Garden to put the Spitfires on the board early. Liam Greentree doubled the lead at 9:34, set up by Anthony Cristoforo and Jack Nesbitt. The Firebirds would respond to make it a 2-1 game. Cole Davis made it 3-1 at 13:47, banking assists to John McLaughlin and Cristoforo.

Flint refused to go quietly, Christopher Thibodeau pulled it to 3-2 at 17:08 to ensure the period ended with some tension still brewing.

FLINT STORMS BACK — AND THEN SOME

The Firebirds came out of the intermission with fire. A double minor high-sticking call on Nathan Villeneuve handed Flint a lengthy power play, and Darian Anderson buried it at 3:02 to tie the game. Windsor's penalty trouble continued — McLaughlin was whistled for slashing at 9:21, and Flint capitalized on the momentum even without converting on that chance.

Nathan Aspinall — named the game's third star — took over. The Firebirds captain scored at 15:36 and again at 18:58, his second assisted by Lombardi and Graziano, to give Flint a stunning 5-3 lead heading to the third. The WFCU Centre had gone quiet. Twenty minutes stood between the Firebirds and a series split.

THE SPITFIRES RESPOND — IN STYLE

Any doubt was erased quickly. Harvey — named the game's second star — was fed a slick pass by Andrew Robinson for a goal at 2:48 of the third to make it 5-4 and breathe life back into the building. The crowd found its voice again. Then Nesbitt, set up by Cristoforo and Conor Walton, tied it at 12:57 and the WFCU Centre absolutely erupted.

What followed was one of those moments that playoff runs are built on. With the clock ticking down to a single minute remaining — 19:00 on the dot — Walton found the back of the net, assisted by Davis and AJ Spellacy, to complete the comeback and send the building into bedlam. Walton, named the game's first star, had delivered the dagger.

Joey Costanzo was steady all night in the Windsor cage, stopping 22 of 27 shots to earn the win. At the other end, Mason Vaccari took the loss for Flint despite a 25-save effort in 59:13 of work.

UP NEXT

The series now shifts to Flint with the Spitfires holding a 2-0 advantage. Game 3 is set for Dort Financial Center as Windsor looks to tighten their grip on a berth in the next round.

Windsor leads the best-of-seven series 2-0.

Windsor came out flying and capitalized early on the power play. Just 2:59 into the opening frame, Ethan Garden opened the scoring with a man-advantage marker, setting the tone for a strong first period. The Spitfires doubled their lead midway through the period when Max Brocklehurst buried one at even strength, finishing off a solid passing play with Andrew Robinson and Nathan Gaymes picking up the assists.

Flint answered late in the first, cutting the deficit to 2–1 on a power play goal from Darian Anderson at 16:52, but Windsor maintained control through a tight-checking second period that saw both teams held off the scoresheet.

The game opened up again in the third period, with tensions rising and penalties stacking up on both sides. Flint managed to tie things briefly with a goal from Brady Smith at 12:39, but the Spitfires quickly responded.

Jack Nesbitt delivered the game-winner on the power play at 15:03, hammering home a feed from Anthony Cristoforo and Jakub Fibigr. Nesbitt wasn’t done there—he sealed the victory with an empty-net goal at 19:13, assisted by Liam Greentree and Cristoforo, finishing the night with a two-goal performance.

Between the pipes, Joey Costanzo was rock solid, turning aside 22 shots to earn the win and second star honors. At the other end, Mason Vaccari made 18 saves in a strong effort for Flint.

Special teams proved to be a difference-maker, with Windsor going 2-for-6 on the power play while limiting Flint to just one goal on four opportunities.

In front of 5,051 fans, the Spitfires showcased discipline when it mattered most and timely scoring to secure the win and take an early edge in the series.

Game 2 shifts back to the WFCU Centre on Sunday at 4:05 PM, where fans are encouraged to wear white for a full building WHITEOUT as Windsor looks to keep the momentum rolling.

GUELPH, ON — It wasn't just a win. It was a statement. The Windsor Spitfires completed a sweep of the Guelph Storm on Thursday night at the Sleeman Centre, rolling to a dominant 11-3 victory in front of 3,743 fans to advance to the second round of the OHL playoffs, where they will face the Flint Firebirds.

From the opening puck drop, Windsor was on a mission. The Spitfires exploded for a jaw-dropping 11 goals on the night, with contributions up and down the lineup in what was a total team effort under head coach Greg Walters. Ethan Garden, Liam Greentree, and Cole Davis were named the three stars of the game — a fitting tribute to a night where nearly everyone in a Windsor sweater left their mark on the scoresheet.

Guelph would opening the scoring on a penalty shot tally from Ethan Miedema. Greentree got the Spitfires started at 14:09 of the first, finishing off a feed from Anthony Cristoforo to tie the scoring. The Storm would scoring again going up 2-1. Jack Nesbitt made it 2-2 late in the first on a goal assisted by Cristoforo and Greentree.

Then Windsor turned on the jets and never looked back.

The Spitfires outscored the Storm 5-0 in the second period, effectively ending the game as a contest. The barrage began just 60 seconds into the frame when John McLaughlin beat a scrambling Zach Jovanovski, and goals from Garden, Alex Pharand, and Carson Woodall — the latter a power play marker — followed in rapid succession. Davis then added a shorthanded goal at 14:06 to cap an absolutely breathtaking middle period. Guelph was forced to pull Jovanovski after the fifth goal, but backup Colin Ellsworth couldn't slow the bleeding either.

Windsor kept their foot on the gas in the third, scoring four more times. Garden and Andrew Robinson struck just over a minute apart to push the lead to 9-2, Davis added his second of the night at 6:15, and Max Brocklehurst rounded out the scoring with the 11th goal late in the game. Tyler Hopkins added a consolation goal for the Storm at 18:13, but by that point the celebration was already well underway on the Windsor bench.

Joey Costanzo was steady as ever in goal for the Spitfires, turning aside 24 shots he faced across 60 minutes for his fourth win of the series. Windsor finished the night going 1-for-2 on the power play and the penalty kill was perfect throughout the series.

With the sweep complete, the Windsor Spitfires move on to the OHL's second round where they will meet the Flint Firebirds.

Windsor Spitfires win the series 4-0. Second round opponent: Flint Firebirds.