Third-period outburst carries Spitfires past Sting for first road win of the season

Author of the article:

Jim Parker • Windsor Star

Published Oct 27, 2023 • Last updated 10 hours ago • 3 minute read

Windsor Spitfires goalie Ian Michelone (21) dives on the puck in front of Sarnia Sting’s Marko Sikic (15) in the first period of Friday’s game at Progressive Auto Sales Arena. jpg

Maybe it’s a sign the Windsor Spitfires are close to turning a corner.

Windsor earned its first road victory against the Sarnia Sting, who had handed the Spitfires two crushing losses in the first four games of the season.

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With four goals in the third period, the Spitfires grabbed a 4-2 win over the Sting before a crowd of 3,986 at Progressive Auto Insurance Arena.

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“I think we didn’t want to let these guys beat us again,” said Spitfires head coach Jerrod Smith, whose team had been outscored by the Sting 14-5 in two losses earlier this season. “I think the boys showed a lot of emotion in the third period to not be denied and beat a team we haven’t beaten this season.”

After a scoreless opening period, Zach Filak’s goal had the Sting up 1-0 after 40 minutes.

“Between the second and third (periods), we talked about, ‘Are we going to let this happen again,’” Smith said. “‘We’re right in this game and we just have to find a way.’”

Overager Jacob Maillet got the Spitfires even just 26 seconds into the third period. While the Sting had a few early scoring chances in the period, it was Oliver Peer, who was able counter, beat his defender wide and tuck home the go-ahead goal for the Spitfires just 98 seconds into the period.

“They had a couple of scoring chances and Peersy goes down and scores and it just feels like that’s what’s been happening to us,” Smith said.

In his second game back in the lineup, overage Alex Christopoulos set Peer up for the second goal and made a great feed to rookie Cole Davis, who extended Windsor’s lead to 3-1.

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“I’m comfortable with the way things are going up there now,” said Smith, who seems to have found some line balance with the return of Christopoulos. “I love the idea of playing four lines when things are rolling on back-to-back games and a three (games) in three (days).”

With the Sting on a late power play and the goalie on the bench, Tyson Doucette pulled the Sting to within 3-2 with just under three minutes to play in regulation.

But that was the last puck to beat goalie Ian Michelone, who made 30 saves for his first win of the season.

“I’m really proud of the kid and he works his tail off in practice,” Smith said of Michelone. “He was outstanding and a huge reason we won.”

Davis was credited with his second goal of the game after he was taken down from behind heading to an empty Sarnia net with three seconds to play. Doucette was given a match penalty for a slew foot on the play that carries a minimum two-game suspension.

The Spitfires return to action on Saturday against the Niagara IceDogs at the WFCU Centre. Game time is 7:05 p.m.

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Game Summary

Friday Result

Spitfires 4 Sting 2

Windsor 0 0 4 – 4

Sarnia 0 1 1 – 2

First period: No scoring. Penalties: Nesbitt W (unsportsmanlike conduct), Lominca S (unsportsmanlike conduct) 16:19.

Second period: 1. Sarnia, Filak 6 (J.LeBlanc, Vilmanis) 4:53. Penalties: J.LeBlanc S (tripping), Walton W (checking from behind) 8:49, Cristoforo W (fighting), Lominac S (instigator, fighting, misconduct) 14:20.

Third period: 2. Windsor, Maillet 4 (Greentree, Dionicio) :26, 3. Windsor, Peer 4 (Christopoulos, Cristoforo) 1:38, 4. Windsor, Davis 2 (Christopoulos, Peer) 7:20, 5. Sarnia, Doucette 8 (Sikic, J.LeBlanc) 17:08 (pp), 6. Windsor, Davis 3 (unassisted) 19:57 (en). Penalties: Eichler W (slashing) 2:23, Davis W (tripping) 10:38, Eichler W (roughing) 11:30, Smith W (tripping) 16:36, Dionicio W (misconduct), Spellacy W (fighting), Doucette S (slew foot major, game misconduct), A.LeBlanc S (fighting) 19:57.

Game stats – SOG – Windsor 5 4 8 – 17 Sarnia 8 9 15 – 32 Goal (shots-saves) – Windsor: Michelone (W,1-2-0-0) (32-30). Sarnia: Surzycia (L,4-5-0-0) (16-13). Power play (goals-chances) – Windsor 0-2. Sarnia 1-5. Referees: Ryan Hutchison (20) and Brendan Kane (13). Linesmen: Devon Gale (66) and Andre Grougrou (77). Att.: 3,986 at Progressive Auto Sales Arena.

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