SmartStop Post-Game Recap – Steelheads fall to Spitfires
MISSISSAUGA, ON – Special teams breakdowns led to the Mississauga Steelheads dropping a 5-3 contest to the Windsor Spitfires on Thursday night at the Paramount Fine Foods Centre.
The Steelheads allowed three power play goals and a shorthanded tally to the Spitfires, also being outshot 45-26. Jack Ivankovic kept the Steelheads in the game with a few huge saves, but his efforts weren’t enough to give them the win.
Jack Van Volsen opened the scoring and Porter Martone kept the Steelheads in the game with a late first period tally, and went into the intermission down one following a fast paced frame.
Offence was hard to come by for the home side after that, as they didn’t find the back of the net until Gabriel Chiarot scored with five seconds left in regulation. Defenseman Finn Harding chipped in on two of the goals for the Trout, with two helpers. Luke Misa also got on the scoresheet, improving his streak to nine games.
Windsor’s Oliver Peer had a notable outing, recording two goals and three points. Joey Costanzo made 23 saves in the victory.
Just under two minutes into the night, The Steelheads went on the power play after a high hit from Ethan Martin on Martone. They capitalized on the man advantage when Van Volsen banged one in from the front of the net after an excellent intentional miss from Sharpe, putting the home side up 1-0.
That lead only lasted four minutes however, as Liam Greentree worked up the boards and walked right down main street and scored to tie the game.
Things got worse for Mississauga after a break down defensively and a pass from Greentree sent Peer on a breakaway, and he made no mistake, putting it over the blocker of Ivankovic to give Windsor a 2-1 lead.
With 2:03 left in the first, the Trout couldn’t clear the puck after a chance on the powerplay, allowing a clean shot from Peer. Ivankovic was able to make the initial stop but Maillet put the rebound in to extend the lead to two.
The Steelheads get one back before the period ended, as Misa made an elite level play and created a scoring chance by getting the puck to Martone, who finished in front.
Mississauga killed off a four minute power play in the second period off the backs of good defensive play and a few big saves from Ivankovic. They were rewarded with a power play shortly after, but a breakdown in the neutral zone cost them dearly.
Roberto Mancini fired a pass from the defensive zone that sprung Peer for a breakaway and he finished on the backhand. The Spitfires third special teams goal of the night proved to be a back-breaker, as they tacked on one more to seal the win.
The Steelheads have an opportunity to get back at it against the Peterborough Petes on Friday night, and will hope to replicate their last performance in this matchup – a 7-1 victory.
Total Shots – 45 WSR / 26 MISS
Three Stars:
- Oliver Peer (2G, 1A)
- Finn Harding (2A)
- Jack Van Volsen (1G)
The Steelheads play their final home game in 2023 Friday night for a matchup against the Peterborough Petes. Buy your tickets here.
