Spitfires even the series with dominating win
(Plymouth, MI) The Windsor Spitfires responded with a solid effort Saturday evening, evening the best of seven series 1-1. The Spitfires dominated the Whalers scoring eight goals while peppering goaltender Matt Hackett with 72 shots. Andrei Loktionov led the way with two goals and three assists while Ryan Ellis scored two goals and added one assist.
Defenceman Ryan Ellis opened the scoring just 55 seconds into the game with his 5th playoffs goal. The lone assist was awarded to Dale Mitchell. Adam Henrique would put the Spitfires up by two goals early with his first goal of the playoffs at the 2:45 mark. The assists on Henrique’s powerplay goal were awarded to Ryan Ellis and Dale Mitchell. The Whalers responded at the 4:04 mark with a shorthanded goal by Tyler G. Brown who stole the puck from Andrew Engelage and easily scored into the empty net. Goaltender Engelage settled down and held the Whalers off the scoreboard the rest of the period. The first period ended 2-1.
The Spitfires dominated the second period, scoring five goals to just one Whalers goal. Second period Spitfires goals were scored by Dale Mitchell, Greg Nemisz (two), Andrei Loktionov and Ryan Ellis while Tyler Seguin score the lone Whalers goal. The Spitfires added a powerplay marker early in the third period, scored by Andrei Loktionov to beat the Whalers 8-2. The Spitfires outshot the Whalers 72 – 21. Andrew Engelage saved 17 of 19 shots to gain the win. Ryan Ellis was named the games first star followed by Andrei Loktionov and Greg Nemisz.
The Spitfires and Whalers return to the WFCU Centre on Sunday April 5, game time is 6:05 pm. The best of seven series is tied 1-1.