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(Windsor) Windsor Spitfires Vice-President and General Manager Warren Rychel today announced that the team has acquired overage forward Jeff Brown from the Oshawa Generals. Brown, a 20 year-old native of Toronto, ON is listed at 6’1” and 202 pounds.
In exchange, the Spitfires have sent a fourth round pick in the 2013 OHL Priority Selection to the Generals.
This season, Brown has 7 goals and 9 assists for 16 points and 56 penalty minutes in 25 games with Oshawa.
“This move solidifies our squad; Brown is a gritty and experienced player who will provide our club with scoring, toughness and leadership. He’s a great addition to our team for the rest of the season and also for our playoff run. Brown is a tough player to play against and will become a fan favourite here in Windsor,” said Warren Rychel.
Brown will be playing in today’s game against the Erie Otters and will be wearing #11.
Jeff Brown
Number: 11
Pos: Right Wing
Weight: 202 lbs
Birthdate: June 2, 1990
Hometown: Toronto, ON
Friday, December 31, 2010
Team Windsor Essex Bantam Minor vs. Windsor Spitfires
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WINDSOR – The 2011 International Children’s Games Team Windsor Essex will challenge the Windsor Spitfires to a scrimmage game to be held at the WFCU Centre main bowl on Sunday, January 2, 2011, with a puck drop at 11:00am. The game consists of two 15 minute periods and will include the figure skating short program performance during intermission by Molly Ghanam and Madeline Potts, Team Windsor Essex will compete in Kelowna during the ICG 2011 Winter Games end of January.
WHAT: Ceremonial puck drop 11:00am, game, autograph session to follow
WHO: Windsor Spitfires, Team Windsor Essex, Ray Grassi, Paralympian and Gold Medalist Men’s National Sledge Hockey Team, Mark Renaud, Spitfire Alumnus and Former NHL player.
WHERE: WFCU Centre main bowl
WHEN: Sunday, January 2, 2011, at 11:00am
The fundraiser game is open to public with tickets $5.00. Doors open at 10:00am, game at 11:00am autograph session to follow. Access into the main bowl for public is through the community centre entrance only.
WINDSOR – The 2011 International Children’s Games Team Windsor Essex will challenge the Windsor Spitfires to a scrimmage game to be held at the WFCU Centre main bowl on Sunday, January 2, 2011, with a puck drop at 11:00am. The game consists of two 15 minute periods and will include the figure skating short program performance during intermission by Molly Ghanam and Madeline Potts, Team Windsor Essex will compete in Kelowna during the ICG 2011 Winter Games end of January.
WHAT: Ceremonial puck drop 11:00am, game, autograph session to follow
WHO: Windsor Spitfires, Team Windsor Essex, Ray Grassi, Paralympian and Gold Medalist Men’s National Sledge Hockey Team, Mark Renaud, Spitfire Alumnus and Former NHL player.
WHERE: WFCU Centre main bowl
WHEN: Sunday, January 2, 2011, at 11:00am
The fundraiser game is open to public with tickets $5.00. Doors open at 10:00am, game at 11:00am autograph session to follow. Access into the main bowl for public is through the community centre entrance only.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
U.S. National Junior Team Earns 4-0 Win over Germany at the IIHF World Junior Championship
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Team USA Secures Spot in Medal Round; Play Switzerland Tomorrow
BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. goalies Jack Campbell (Port Huron, Mich./Windsor Spitfires) and Andy Iles (Ithaca, N.Y./Cornell Univ.) combined for a shutout, as the U.S. National Junior Team earned a 4-0 win over Germany here tonight in its third preliminary-round game of the 2011 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship.
Team USA improved to 2-1-0-0 (W-OTW-OTL-L) and guaranteed itself a spot in the medal round.
"I thought our defense played excellent tonight," said Keith Allain, head coach of the U.S. National Junior Team. "I'm happy with our team game as we move forward, and see us coming together as a unit."
Team USA took a 1-0 lead 13 minutes into the game on the power play. After Jon Merrill (Brighton, Mich./Univ. of Michigan) held the puck in Germany's zone along the far boards, Charlie Coyle (East Weymouth, Mass./Boston Univ.) skated to the slot and snapped a wrist shot past the glove of Germany goalie Niklas Treutle.
Less than one minute later, the U.S. extended its lead to 2-0 when Jerry D'Amigo (Binghamton, N.Y./Toronto Marlies) gloved down a German clearing attempt and fired a wrist shot for a short-side goal.
Merrill extended the U.S. advantage to 3-0 eight minutes into the second period with a seeing-eye shot from the blue line. Chris Kreider (Boxford, Mass./Boston College) closed out the scoring five minutes later when he powered a shot home from the slot for Team USA's second power-play goal of the night.
After stopping all 14 shots faced in just over 50 minutes of action, Campbell was replaced by Iles midway through the final period.
Team USA will play its final preliminary-round game of the IIHF World Junior Championship tomorrow (Dec. 31) against Switzerland. Should the U.S. win, it would advance to the semifinal round as Group A's top seed.
Team USA Secures Spot in Medal Round; Play Switzerland Tomorrow
BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. goalies Jack Campbell (Port Huron, Mich./Windsor Spitfires) and Andy Iles (Ithaca, N.Y./Cornell Univ.) combined for a shutout, as the U.S. National Junior Team earned a 4-0 win over Germany here tonight in its third preliminary-round game of the 2011 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship.
Team USA improved to 2-1-0-0 (W-OTW-OTL-L) and guaranteed itself a spot in the medal round.
"I thought our defense played excellent tonight," said Keith Allain, head coach of the U.S. National Junior Team. "I'm happy with our team game as we move forward, and see us coming together as a unit."
Team USA took a 1-0 lead 13 minutes into the game on the power play. After Jon Merrill (Brighton, Mich./Univ. of Michigan) held the puck in Germany's zone along the far boards, Charlie Coyle (East Weymouth, Mass./Boston Univ.) skated to the slot and snapped a wrist shot past the glove of Germany goalie Niklas Treutle.
Less than one minute later, the U.S. extended its lead to 2-0 when Jerry D'Amigo (Binghamton, N.Y./Toronto Marlies) gloved down a German clearing attempt and fired a wrist shot for a short-side goal.
Merrill extended the U.S. advantage to 3-0 eight minutes into the second period with a seeing-eye shot from the blue line. Chris Kreider (Boxford, Mass./Boston College) closed out the scoring five minutes later when he powered a shot home from the slot for Team USA's second power-play goal of the night.
After stopping all 14 shots faced in just over 50 minutes of action, Campbell was replaced by Iles midway through the final period.
Team USA will play its final preliminary-round game of the IIHF World Junior Championship tomorrow (Dec. 31) against Switzerland. Should the U.S. win, it would advance to the semifinal round as Group A's top seed.
Ellis Records Three Assists, Canada Defeats Norway 10-1
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windsorspitfires.com staff reports
Team Canada 3-0 in WJHC Play
Team Canada scored six times in the opening 20 minutes and coasted to an easy, 10-1 win over Norway Wednesday night at the World Junior Hockey Championships in Buffalo.
Brayden Schenn had four goals and an assist, Eric Gudbranson scored twice and added an assist and Ryan Ellis chipped in with three helpers, as Canada won for the third time in as many games.
Rasmus Juell scored the lone goal for Norway.
The Norweigans managed 32 shots on Canadian goalie Mark Visentin, who made his first start of the tournament.
Brett Connolly, Quinton Howden and Ryan Johansen each had two assists in the win.
Canada played with just 10 forwards, as Zack Kassian (suspension), Jaden Schwartz and Cody Eakin (injuries) all sat out. Defenceman Calvin de Haan also sat out due to injury.
Kassian will serve the second of his two-game suspension on Friday night, as the Canadians take on Sweden in their final round-robin game.
windsorspitfires.com staff reports
Team Canada 3-0 in WJHC Play
Team Canada scored six times in the opening 20 minutes and coasted to an easy, 10-1 win over Norway Wednesday night at the World Junior Hockey Championships in Buffalo.
Brayden Schenn had four goals and an assist, Eric Gudbranson scored twice and added an assist and Ryan Ellis chipped in with three helpers, as Canada won for the third time in as many games.
Rasmus Juell scored the lone goal for Norway.
The Norweigans managed 32 shots on Canadian goalie Mark Visentin, who made his first start of the tournament.
Brett Connolly, Quinton Howden and Ryan Johansen each had two assists in the win.
Canada played with just 10 forwards, as Zack Kassian (suspension), Jaden Schwartz and Cody Eakin (injuries) all sat out. Defenceman Calvin de Haan also sat out due to injury.
Kassian will serve the second of his two-game suspension on Friday night, as the Canadians take on Sweden in their final round-robin game.
Maxwell Stymies Spits, Kitchener Defeats Windsor 3-1
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Maxwell Stymies Spits
windsorspitfires.com
In a battle of two of the league's best power plays, it was a third-period goal with the extra man that made the difference.
Tyler Randell's sixth of the season and an outstanding effort by Kitchener goalie Brandon Maxwell were enough for the Rangers to get by the Spits on Wednesday night, in a 3-1 win before 6,541 at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium.
Jason Akeson, the OHL's leading scorer, had a pair of assists for Kitchener (21-8-3-1), who moved three points ahead of Windsor (21-13-0-1) for third in the Western Conference.
Stephen Johnston had the lone goal for Windsor - a beautiful deke off a Michael Whaley rebound that opened the scoring at the 7:32 mark of the first period.
But despite firing 45 shots on the night, they couldn't beat Maxwell again.
The Rangers tied the game late in the second period, as Ryan Murphy picked up a loose puck - off an Akeson chance - and fired it into an empty net as a pair of Spitfires defenders left him alone in front.
All eyes were on Akeson, again, early in the third. The slick winger drew two penalty killers before finding Randell alone in front for the eventual game winner.
The Spitfires had consecutive power play chances in the final 10 minutes. Zack MacQueen hit the post on a deflection during the second advantage, but they couldn't find the equalizer.
Cody Sol added an empty netter with 20 seconds to play, to round out the scoring.
NOTES
The win was Kitchener's 15th at home this season. That's tops in the OHL ... Windsor went 0-for-3 on the power play. Their PK has now killed 31 of the last 34 man advantages...Troy Passingham was outstanding in goal for Windsor, making 29 saves, including several highlight reel stops.
SCORING
FIRST PERIOD
WSR Johnston, (8) (Whaley, Locke), 7:32
SECOND PERIOD
KIT Murphy, (16) (Akeson, Ming), 14:47
THIRD PERIOD
KIT Randell, (6) (Akeson, Doornbosch), 5:14 (PP)
KIT Sol, (2) (Tipoff, Akeson), 19:40 (EN)
Maxwell Stymies Spits
windsorspitfires.com
In a battle of two of the league's best power plays, it was a third-period goal with the extra man that made the difference.
Tyler Randell's sixth of the season and an outstanding effort by Kitchener goalie Brandon Maxwell were enough for the Rangers to get by the Spits on Wednesday night, in a 3-1 win before 6,541 at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium.
Jason Akeson, the OHL's leading scorer, had a pair of assists for Kitchener (21-8-3-1), who moved three points ahead of Windsor (21-13-0-1) for third in the Western Conference.
Stephen Johnston had the lone goal for Windsor - a beautiful deke off a Michael Whaley rebound that opened the scoring at the 7:32 mark of the first period.
But despite firing 45 shots on the night, they couldn't beat Maxwell again.
The Rangers tied the game late in the second period, as Ryan Murphy picked up a loose puck - off an Akeson chance - and fired it into an empty net as a pair of Spitfires defenders left him alone in front.
All eyes were on Akeson, again, early in the third. The slick winger drew two penalty killers before finding Randell alone in front for the eventual game winner.
The Spitfires had consecutive power play chances in the final 10 minutes. Zack MacQueen hit the post on a deflection during the second advantage, but they couldn't find the equalizer.
Cody Sol added an empty netter with 20 seconds to play, to round out the scoring.
NOTES
The win was Kitchener's 15th at home this season. That's tops in the OHL ... Windsor went 0-for-3 on the power play. Their PK has now killed 31 of the last 34 man advantages...Troy Passingham was outstanding in goal for Windsor, making 29 saves, including several highlight reel stops.
SCORING
FIRST PERIOD
WSR Johnston, (8) (Whaley, Locke), 7:32
SECOND PERIOD
KIT Murphy, (16) (Akeson, Ming), 14:47
THIRD PERIOD
KIT Randell, (6) (Akeson, Doornbosch), 5:14 (PP)
KIT Sol, (2) (Tipoff, Akeson), 19:40 (EN)
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
U.S. National Junior Team Tops Slovakia, 6-1, at the IIHF World Junior Championship
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Palmieri Scores Twice as U.S. Improves to 1-1-0-0
BUFFALO, N.Y. - Kyle Palmieri (Montvale, N.J./Syracuse Crunch) scored two first-period goals and added an assist, as the U.S. National Junior Team topped Slovakia, 6-1, in its second preliminary-round game of the 2011 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship. Team USA improved to 1-1-0-0 (W-OTW-OTL-L) and currently sits in first place in Group A.
"I was happy with our power play tonight getting three goals," said Keith Allain, head coach of the U.S. National Junior Team. "We hope to continue to improve as the tournament goes on so that we're at our best at the end."
Team USA jumped out to a 1-0 lead less than five minutes into the game. Chris Kreider (Boxford, Mass./Boston College) chipped the puck through the neutral zone to spring Charlie Coyle (East Weymouth, Mass./Boston Univ.) on a two-on-one rush. Coyle fed Palmieri in the crease for a tip-in goal.
Three minutes later, Palmieri notched his second of the night with Team USA on the power play. After a long shot by Jon Merrill (Brighton, Mich./Univ. of Michigan) flew wide, Palmieri collected the rebound off of the boards and fired a shot from a sharp angle past Slovakia goalie Dominik Riecicky.
The U.S. used a pair of second-period power-play goals by Coyle and Chris Brown (Flower Mound, Texas/Univ. of Michigan) to increase its lead to 4-0 midway through the frame. Following a Slovakia goal at 12:26 of the second, Drew Shore (Denver, Colo./Univ. of Denver) restored Team USA's four-goal advantage when he gloved down a loose puck at his own blue line, skated by two Slovakia defensemen and lifted a backhand shot past Riecicky.
Emerson Etem (Long Beach, Calif./Medicine Hat Tigers) gave the U.S. a 6-1 lead heading into the final period with a wrist shot that slipped out of Riecicky's glove, chasing the Slovakian goaltender.
U.S. goalie Jack Campbell (Port Huron, Mich./Windsor Spitfires) shut the door in the third period, stopping seven shots in the frame and finishing the night with 17 saves. Meanwhile, Slovakia goalies Riecicky and Juraj Holly combined for 51 saves in a losing effort.
Team USA will play its third preliminary-round game of the IIHF World Junior Championship on Thursday (Dec. 30) against Germany.
Palmieri Scores Twice as U.S. Improves to 1-1-0-0
BUFFALO, N.Y. - Kyle Palmieri (Montvale, N.J./Syracuse Crunch) scored two first-period goals and added an assist, as the U.S. National Junior Team topped Slovakia, 6-1, in its second preliminary-round game of the 2011 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship. Team USA improved to 1-1-0-0 (W-OTW-OTL-L) and currently sits in first place in Group A.
"I was happy with our power play tonight getting three goals," said Keith Allain, head coach of the U.S. National Junior Team. "We hope to continue to improve as the tournament goes on so that we're at our best at the end."
Team USA jumped out to a 1-0 lead less than five minutes into the game. Chris Kreider (Boxford, Mass./Boston College) chipped the puck through the neutral zone to spring Charlie Coyle (East Weymouth, Mass./Boston Univ.) on a two-on-one rush. Coyle fed Palmieri in the crease for a tip-in goal.
Three minutes later, Palmieri notched his second of the night with Team USA on the power play. After a long shot by Jon Merrill (Brighton, Mich./Univ. of Michigan) flew wide, Palmieri collected the rebound off of the boards and fired a shot from a sharp angle past Slovakia goalie Dominik Riecicky.
The U.S. used a pair of second-period power-play goals by Coyle and Chris Brown (Flower Mound, Texas/Univ. of Michigan) to increase its lead to 4-0 midway through the frame. Following a Slovakia goal at 12:26 of the second, Drew Shore (Denver, Colo./Univ. of Denver) restored Team USA's four-goal advantage when he gloved down a loose puck at his own blue line, skated by two Slovakia defensemen and lifted a backhand shot past Riecicky.
Emerson Etem (Long Beach, Calif./Medicine Hat Tigers) gave the U.S. a 6-1 lead heading into the final period with a wrist shot that slipped out of Riecicky's glove, chasing the Slovakian goaltender.
U.S. goalie Jack Campbell (Port Huron, Mich./Windsor Spitfires) shut the door in the third period, stopping seven shots in the frame and finishing the night with 17 saves. Meanwhile, Slovakia goalies Riecicky and Juraj Holly combined for 51 saves in a losing effort.
Team USA will play its third preliminary-round game of the IIHF World Junior Championship on Thursday (Dec. 30) against Germany.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Roster Set for 2011 U.S. National Junior Team
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Twenty-Two Players Will Compete at IIHF World Junior Championship in Buffalo, N.Y.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. - USA Hockey today announced its 22-player roster the 2011 U.S. National Junior Team that will compete at the International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship Dec. 26, 2010-Jan. 5, 2011, in Buffalo, N.Y.
"I'm excited with this group of guys moving forward," said Keith Allain, head coach of the 2011 U.S. National Junior Team. "We've got good speed and talent across the board, which should help us in a tournament with so many skilled teams."
Also highlighting the preliminary roster are six players from the gold medal-winning 2010 U.S. National Under-18 Team, including Campbell and Andy Iles (Ithaca, N.Y./Cornell Univ.) in goal; defensemen Justin Faulk (South St. Paul, Minn./Univ. of Minnesota Duluth), Derek Forbort (Duluth, Minn./Univ. of North Dakota) and Jon Merrill (Brighton, Mich./Univ. of Michigan); and forward Zucker.
Team USA will face Norway on Thursday (Dec. 23) at the Jamestown Savings Bank Arena in Jamestown, N.Y., in its final final tune-up prior to the 2011 IIHF World Junior Championship.
Twenty-Two Players Will Compete at IIHF World Junior Championship in Buffalo, N.Y.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. - USA Hockey today announced its 22-player roster the 2011 U.S. National Junior Team that will compete at the International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship Dec. 26, 2010-Jan. 5, 2011, in Buffalo, N.Y.
"There's a great combination of experience and talent on this roster," said Jim Johannson, general manager of the 2011 U.S. National Junior Team. "The fact that these decisions were so hard is a testament to where hockey has come in the United States."
 |
| Spitfire Jack Campbell in goal for Team USA Photo by Dave Arnold. Courtesy USAHockey |
Among those named to the 2011 roster are eight returning players from the gold medal-winning 2010 U.S. National Junior Team, including goaltender Jack Campbell (Port Huron, Mich.); defenseman John Ramage (Chesterfield, Mo./Univ. of Wisconsin); and forwards Ryan Bourque (Boxford, Mass.), Jerry D'Amigo (Binghamton, N.Y.), Chris Kreider (Boxford, Mass./Boston College), Jeremy Morin (Auburn, N.Y.), Kyle Palmieri (Montvale, N.J.) and Jason Zucker (Las Vegas, Nev./Univ. of Denver).
Also highlighting the preliminary roster are six players from the gold medal-winning 2010 U.S. National Under-18 Team, including Campbell and Andy Iles (Ithaca, N.Y./Cornell Univ.) in goal; defensemen Justin Faulk (South St. Paul, Minn./Univ. of Minnesota Duluth), Derek Forbort (Duluth, Minn./Univ. of North Dakota) and Jon Merrill (Brighton, Mich./Univ. of Michigan); and forward Zucker.
Team USA will face Norway on Thursday (Dec. 23) at the Jamestown Savings Bank Arena in Jamestown, N.Y., in its final final tune-up prior to the 2011 IIHF World Junior Championship.
Monday, December 20, 2010
RYAN ELLIS NAMED CAPTAIN WITH CANADA’S NATIONAL JUNIOR TEAM;
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JARED COWEN, CALVIN DE HAAN AND BRAYDEN SCHENN NAMED ALTERNATE CAPTAINS
NIAGARA FALLS, Ont. – Hockey Canada and the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) announced on Sunday that defenceman Ryan Ellis (Freelton, Ont./Windsor, OHL) was named captain with Canada’s National Junior Team at the 2011 IIHF World Junior Championship in Buffalo, NY (USA) from December 26, 2010 through January 5, 2011.
Ellis will be taking part in his third World Junior Championship, having won gold in 2009 and silver in 2010. He is only the seventh player in Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence history to represent Canada at three IIHF World Junior Championships, joining Jay Bouwmeester (2000-02), Jason Spezza (2000-02), Jason Botterill (1995-97), Martin Lapointe (1991-93), Eric Lindros (1990-92) and Trevor Kidd (1990-92). The native of Freelton, Ont. is also the co-leading top scoring defenceman of all-time with Canada’s National Junior Team, with 14 points (tied with Alex Pietrangelo).
Ellis is the 31st captain all-time with Canada’s National Junior Team, since 1982 and the start of the Program of Excellence (Note - two captains in 1998) and the 11th captain from Ontario and 10th from the OHL.
Ellis serves as captain of the OHL’s Windsor Spitfires, and won Memorial Cups with Windsor in 2010 and in 2009.
Hockey Canada’s senior director of hockey operations and national teams Scott Salmond, along with head coach Dave Cameron (Kincora, PEI/ Mississauga St. Michael’s, OHL) and the coaching staff also announced the alternate captains: Jared Cowen (Allan, Sask./ Spokane, WHL), Calvin de Haan (Carp, Ont./Oshawa, OHL) and Brayden Schenn (Saskatoon, Sask./Brandon, WHL).
Canada’s National Junior Team will continue to be based in Niagara Falls, Ont. through December 24, 2010, before moving to Buffalo. All of Canada’s on-ice sessions at Niagara Falls’ Gale Centre are open to the public free of charge. The full on-ice schedule is posted at http://www.hockeycanada.ca/
Canada’s National Junior Team will play in three pre-competition games in southern Ontario prior to the 2011 IIHF World Junior Championship, December 26 to January 5 in Buffalo, N.Y., including games against Switzerland (December 20 in Oshawa), against Sweden (December 21 in Toronto) and against Finland (December 23 in Kitchener). While the games in Oshawa and Kitchener are sold out, there are still tickets available for the game in Toronto on December 21.
Canada will play its first game of the 2011 IIHF World Junior Championship on Boxing Day, December 26 in Buffalo versus Russia, a game that will be broadcast LIVE by TSN/RDS and on The FAN Radio Network (check local listings).
Canada has medaled at twelve straight IIHF World Junior Championships, including gold medal performances in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009, silver medals in 1999, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2010 and bronze medals in 2000 and 2001.
JARED COWEN, CALVIN DE HAAN AND BRAYDEN SCHENN NAMED ALTERNATE CAPTAINS
NIAGARA FALLS, Ont. – Hockey Canada and the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) announced on Sunday that defenceman Ryan Ellis (Freelton, Ont./Windsor, OHL) was named captain with Canada’s National Junior Team at the 2011 IIHF World Junior Championship in Buffalo, NY (USA) from December 26, 2010 through January 5, 2011.
Ellis will be taking part in his third World Junior Championship, having won gold in 2009 and silver in 2010. He is only the seventh player in Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence history to represent Canada at three IIHF World Junior Championships, joining Jay Bouwmeester (2000-02), Jason Spezza (2000-02), Jason Botterill (1995-97), Martin Lapointe (1991-93), Eric Lindros (1990-92) and Trevor Kidd (1990-92). The native of Freelton, Ont. is also the co-leading top scoring defenceman of all-time with Canada’s National Junior Team, with 14 points (tied with Alex Pietrangelo).
Ellis is the 31st captain all-time with Canada’s National Junior Team, since 1982 and the start of the Program of Excellence (Note - two captains in 1998) and the 11th captain from Ontario and 10th from the OHL.
Ellis serves as captain of the OHL’s Windsor Spitfires, and won Memorial Cups with Windsor in 2010 and in 2009.
Hockey Canada’s senior director of hockey operations and national teams Scott Salmond, along with head coach Dave Cameron (Kincora, PEI/ Mississauga St. Michael’s, OHL) and the coaching staff also announced the alternate captains: Jared Cowen (Allan, Sask./ Spokane, WHL), Calvin de Haan (Carp, Ont./Oshawa, OHL) and Brayden Schenn (Saskatoon, Sask./Brandon, WHL).
Canada’s National Junior Team will continue to be based in Niagara Falls, Ont. through December 24, 2010, before moving to Buffalo. All of Canada’s on-ice sessions at Niagara Falls’ Gale Centre are open to the public free of charge. The full on-ice schedule is posted at http://www.hockeycanada.ca/
Canada’s National Junior Team will play in three pre-competition games in southern Ontario prior to the 2011 IIHF World Junior Championship, December 26 to January 5 in Buffalo, N.Y., including games against Switzerland (December 20 in Oshawa), against Sweden (December 21 in Toronto) and against Finland (December 23 in Kitchener). While the games in Oshawa and Kitchener are sold out, there are still tickets available for the game in Toronto on December 21.
Canada will play its first game of the 2011 IIHF World Junior Championship on Boxing Day, December 26 in Buffalo versus Russia, a game that will be broadcast LIVE by TSN/RDS and on The FAN Radio Network (check local listings).
Canada has medaled at twelve straight IIHF World Junior Championships, including gold medal performances in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009, silver medals in 1999, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2010 and bronze medals in 2000 and 2001.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Saginaw Spirit a Tough Match-up For Spitfires All Season
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Mavric Parks has been a big reason why.
The overage goalie was at it again Saturday night, stopping 43 shots in a 5-2 win.
Jordan Szwarz had a pair of goals and John McFarland had a goal and an assist, as Saginaw (23-7-3-1) extended its lead over the Spitfires in the Western Division to seven points.
Craig Duininck had both goals as Windsor (21-12-0-1) had its six-game winning streak snapped.
The game looked to be out of reach when Justin Kea made it 3-0 Saginaw, at the 9:05 mark of the second period. But Duininck got Windsor on the board just 18 seconds later, storming his way to the net and banging home a Derek Lanoue rebound to make it 3-1.
Duininck cut the lead to one with his fourth goal of the season, on the power play, less than four minutes into the third period.
The Spitfires dominated the next 10-plus minutes but couldn't beat Parks, who made several outstanding saves to preserve the lead.
Windsor's comeback was thwarted on a brilliant individual effort by Szwarz with four minutes to play.
Saginaw's captain cleanly beat Stephen Johnston on a faceoff to the left of Troy Passingham by flipping the puck past him, before quickly snapping a shot home to make it 4-2.
The Spitfires got a late power play and pulled Passingham for a 6-on-4 advantage, but couldn't get any closer.
Szwarz iced the game with an empty-net goal with 55 seconds to play.
NOTES
All three of Saginaw's wins over Windsor this season have been by a 5-2 score...The Spitfires out-shot Saginaw 31-12 in the final 40 minutes...The Spitfires went 1-for-7 on the power play. Saginaw was 0-for-1. Windsor has now killed 29 of its last 31 penalties...The Spits wrap up the first half of the season in fourth place in the Western Conference...The team now has a 10-day break for the holidays, before visiting the Kitchener Rangers, on December 29th.
SHOTS ON GOAL
WINDSOR 45, SAGINAW 25
SCORING
FIRST PERIOD
SAG Trocheck, (15) (McFarland), 6:25
SECOND PERIOD
SAG McFarland, (7) (O'Connor, Chiarot), 1:06 (SH)
SAG Kea, (2) (Huether, Chiarot), 9:05
WSR Duininck, (3) (Lanoue, Khokhlachev), 9:23
THIRD PERIOD
WSR Duininck, (4) (Johnston, Ryan), 3:50 (PP)
SAG Szwarz, (12) , 16:03
SAG Szwarz, (13) (Underwood), 19:05 (EN/SH)
Mavric Parks has been a big reason why.
The overage goalie was at it again Saturday night, stopping 43 shots in a 5-2 win.
Jordan Szwarz had a pair of goals and John McFarland had a goal and an assist, as Saginaw (23-7-3-1) extended its lead over the Spitfires in the Western Division to seven points.
Craig Duininck had both goals as Windsor (21-12-0-1) had its six-game winning streak snapped.
The game looked to be out of reach when Justin Kea made it 3-0 Saginaw, at the 9:05 mark of the second period. But Duininck got Windsor on the board just 18 seconds later, storming his way to the net and banging home a Derek Lanoue rebound to make it 3-1.
Duininck cut the lead to one with his fourth goal of the season, on the power play, less than four minutes into the third period.
The Spitfires dominated the next 10-plus minutes but couldn't beat Parks, who made several outstanding saves to preserve the lead.
Windsor's comeback was thwarted on a brilliant individual effort by Szwarz with four minutes to play.
Saginaw's captain cleanly beat Stephen Johnston on a faceoff to the left of Troy Passingham by flipping the puck past him, before quickly snapping a shot home to make it 4-2.
The Spitfires got a late power play and pulled Passingham for a 6-on-4 advantage, but couldn't get any closer.
Szwarz iced the game with an empty-net goal with 55 seconds to play.
NOTES
All three of Saginaw's wins over Windsor this season have been by a 5-2 score...The Spitfires out-shot Saginaw 31-12 in the final 40 minutes...The Spitfires went 1-for-7 on the power play. Saginaw was 0-for-1. Windsor has now killed 29 of its last 31 penalties...The Spits wrap up the first half of the season in fourth place in the Western Conference...The team now has a 10-day break for the holidays, before visiting the Kitchener Rangers, on December 29th.
SHOTS ON GOAL
WINDSOR 45, SAGINAW 25
SCORING
FIRST PERIOD
SAG Trocheck, (15) (McFarland), 6:25
SECOND PERIOD
SAG McFarland, (7) (O'Connor, Chiarot), 1:06 (SH)
SAG Kea, (2) (Huether, Chiarot), 9:05
WSR Duininck, (3) (Lanoue, Khokhlachev), 9:23
THIRD PERIOD
WSR Duininck, (4) (Johnston, Ryan), 3:50 (PP)
SAG Szwarz, (12) , 16:03
SAG Szwarz, (13) (Underwood), 19:05 (EN/SH)
Friday, December 17, 2010
Spitfires #26 Makes it Six
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It was becoming a very long night at the WFCU Centre on Thursday, until a pair of spark plugs gave the home side another improbable win.
Zack MacQueen and Kenny Ryan scored a minute apart in the third period, and Troy Passingham made 29 saves, as the Windsor Spitfires edged the Guelph Storm, 2-1, in front of 5,968 elated fans.
The Spits trailed for nearly 40 minutes of play before MacQueen tipped home a Nick Ebert point shot on the power play, at the 8:20 mark, to tie the game at 1-1.
Then, just two shifts later, Ryan camped out at the right post and banged a rebound home - past Storm goalie Brandon Foote - for the eventual winner.
The offensive burst almost seemed out of place in a what was, easily, the most tight-checking game of the season.
"That's a huge win for us," Ryan said after Windsor's 21st victory of the season. "We played hard and stuck with it."
Sam Lofquist opened the scoring in the first period for Guelph.
The goal was the result of some nifty work by Riley Sonnenburg, who beat Alexander Khokhlachev on a faceoff in the Windsor zone before kicking the puck back to the point, where Lofquist got rid of it quickly to beat a surprised Troy Passingham.
It would be the only puck to elude the Spitfires' veteran goaltender, who banked his 10th win of the season, in limited action.
Passingham kept his team in the game with several key saves through 40 minutes - none bigger than a pair of point-blank stops off winger Taylor Beck in the second period.
SHOTS ON GOAL
GUELPH 30, WINDSOR 24
SCORING
FIRST PERIOD
GUE Lofquist, (4) (Sonnenburg, Searle), 9:30
SECOND PERIOD
No Scoring
THIRD PERIOD
WSR MacQueen, (10) (Ebert, Johnston), 8:20 (PP)
WSR Ryan, (10) (Locke, MacQueen), 9:29
It was becoming a very long night at the WFCU Centre on Thursday, until a pair of spark plugs gave the home side another improbable win.
Zack MacQueen and Kenny Ryan scored a minute apart in the third period, and Troy Passingham made 29 saves, as the Windsor Spitfires edged the Guelph Storm, 2-1, in front of 5,968 elated fans.
The Spits trailed for nearly 40 minutes of play before MacQueen tipped home a Nick Ebert point shot on the power play, at the 8:20 mark, to tie the game at 1-1.
Then, just two shifts later, Ryan camped out at the right post and banged a rebound home - past Storm goalie Brandon Foote - for the eventual winner.
The offensive burst almost seemed out of place in a what was, easily, the most tight-checking game of the season.
"That's a huge win for us," Ryan said after Windsor's 21st victory of the season. "We played hard and stuck with it."
Sam Lofquist opened the scoring in the first period for Guelph.
The goal was the result of some nifty work by Riley Sonnenburg, who beat Alexander Khokhlachev on a faceoff in the Windsor zone before kicking the puck back to the point, where Lofquist got rid of it quickly to beat a surprised Troy Passingham.
It would be the only puck to elude the Spitfires' veteran goaltender, who banked his 10th win of the season, in limited action.
Passingham kept his team in the game with several key saves through 40 minutes - none bigger than a pair of point-blank stops off winger Taylor Beck in the second period.
SHOTS ON GOAL
GUELPH 30, WINDSOR 24
SCORING
FIRST PERIOD
GUE Lofquist, (4) (Sonnenburg, Searle), 9:30
SECOND PERIOD
No Scoring
THIRD PERIOD
WSR MacQueen, (10) (Ebert, Johnston), 8:20 (PP)
WSR Ryan, (10) (Locke, MacQueen), 9:29
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Weight of the Worlds - Both Spitfires Kassian and Ellis to Represent Canada
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Starting on Boxing Day, the dynamic duo will play a big role in Team Canada's push to win gold at the World Junior Hockey Championships in Buffalo.
Ellis will be making his third consecutive appearance at the Worlds. The 19-year-old, fourth-year defenceman was part of Canada's gold medal winning entry at the 2009 WJHC in Ottawa, and he captained last year's silver medal winners in Regina and Saskatoon.
Kassian will be making his first trip to the tournament, after he was among the final cuts last year.
Canada will play its first game of the 2011 tournament on December 26th against Russia. The game will be broadcast live on TSN/RDS.
Canada has won a medal at 12 straight IIHF World Junior Championships, including gold medal performances in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009, silver medals in 1999, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2010 and bronze medals in 2000 and 2001.
DEFENCE
 |
| Photo by Joe Lemire / In Play! Magazine |
Together, Ryan Ellis and Zack Kassian have lit up the rest of the OHL this season as teammates with the Windsor Spitfires.
Both players were named to the final 22-man roster for the tournament on Wednesday.
Ellis will be making his third consecutive appearance at the Worlds. The 19-year-old, fourth-year defenceman was part of Canada's gold medal winning entry at the 2009 WJHC in Ottawa, and he captained last year's silver medal winners in Regina and Saskatoon.
Kassian will be making his first trip to the tournament, after he was among the final cuts last year.
Canada will play its first game of the 2011 tournament on December 26th against Russia. The game will be broadcast live on TSN/RDS.
Canada has won a medal at 12 straight IIHF World Junior Championships, including gold medal performances in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009, silver medals in 1999, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2010 and bronze medals in 2000 and 2001.
 |
| Photo by Joe Lemire In Play! Magazine |
FULL ROSTER
FORWARDS
Brayden Schenn, Carter Ashton, Casey Cizikas, Brett Connolly, Cody Eakin, Marcus Foligno, Curtis Hamilton, Quinton Howden, Ryan Johansen, Zack Kassian, Louis Leblanc, Jaden Schwartz, Sean Couturier.
Jared Cowen, Calvin de Haan, Ryan Ellis, Dylan Olsen, Simon Despres, Tyson Barrie, Erik Gudbranson.
GOALIES
Olivier Roy, Mark Visentin
Monday, December 13, 2010
Spitfires’ Nick Ebert Named OHL Player of the Week
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Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that rookie defenceman Nick Ebert of the Windsor Spitfires is the OHL Player of the Week for the week ending December 12. Ebert had nine points in three games including three goals and six assists. He becomes both the first rookie and the first defenceman to win the award so far this season.
Ebert produced three straight three-point games including a first star performance on Thursday night in a 4-3 win over the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. He scored twice and assisted on Ryan Ellis’ second period game-winner. On Saturday night he recorded three assists as second star of an 8-5 win over the Sarnia Sting, before finishing the week Sunday with a goal and two assists in a 7-6 win over the Kingston Frontenacs. His eighth goal of the season Sunday was scored on the power play at 14:58 of the first period and unleashed more than 1,600 Teddy Bears onto the WFCU Centre ice in support of various Windsor-Essex County charities.
Ebert, a 16-year-old from Livingston, New Jersey, was selected 17th overall in the 2010 OHL Priority Selection by the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors before being acquired by the Spitfires prior to the 2010-11 season. Eligible for the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, Ebert leads all rookie defencemen with 25 points in 30 games this season.
Guelph Storm teammates Peter Holland and Taylor Beck receive honourable mention for the award this week. Holland scored three goals with six assists for nine points while Beck scored four goals and four assists for eight points in four games including a pair of victories for the Storm. In goal, rookie Malcolm Subban of the Belleville Bulls won two games posting a goals-against-average of 0.960 and a save percentage of .972.
2010-11 OHL Players of the Week:
Dec. 6 – Dec. 12: Nick Ebert, Windsor Spitfires
Nov. 29 – Dec. 5: Ryan Strome, Niagara IceDogs
Nov. 22 – Nov. 28: Greg McKegg, Erie Otters
Nov. 15 – Nov. 21: Christian Thomas, Oshawa Generals
Nov. 8 – Nov. 14: Tyler Toffoli, Ottawa 67’s
Nov. 1 – Nov. 7: Jason Akeson, Kitchener Rangers
Oct. 25 – Oct. 31: Justin Shugg, Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors
Oct. 18 – Oct. 24: Joey Hishon, Owen Sound Attack
Oct. 11 – 17: Garrett Wilson, Owen Sound Attack
Oct. 4 – 10: Nathan Moon, Kingston Frontenacs
Sept. 27 – Oct. 3: Greg McKegg, Erie Otters
Sept. 23 – Sept. 26: Alex Aleardi, Plymouth Whalers
Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that rookie defenceman Nick Ebert of the Windsor Spitfires is the OHL Player of the Week for the week ending December 12. Ebert had nine points in three games including three goals and six assists. He becomes both the first rookie and the first defenceman to win the award so far this season.
Ebert produced three straight three-point games including a first star performance on Thursday night in a 4-3 win over the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. He scored twice and assisted on Ryan Ellis’ second period game-winner. On Saturday night he recorded three assists as second star of an 8-5 win over the Sarnia Sting, before finishing the week Sunday with a goal and two assists in a 7-6 win over the Kingston Frontenacs. His eighth goal of the season Sunday was scored on the power play at 14:58 of the first period and unleashed more than 1,600 Teddy Bears onto the WFCU Centre ice in support of various Windsor-Essex County charities.
Ebert, a 16-year-old from Livingston, New Jersey, was selected 17th overall in the 2010 OHL Priority Selection by the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors before being acquired by the Spitfires prior to the 2010-11 season. Eligible for the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, Ebert leads all rookie defencemen with 25 points in 30 games this season.
Guelph Storm teammates Peter Holland and Taylor Beck receive honourable mention for the award this week. Holland scored three goals with six assists for nine points while Beck scored four goals and four assists for eight points in four games including a pair of victories for the Storm. In goal, rookie Malcolm Subban of the Belleville Bulls won two games posting a goals-against-average of 0.960 and a save percentage of .972.
2010-11 OHL Players of the Week:
Dec. 6 – Dec. 12: Nick Ebert, Windsor Spitfires
Nov. 29 – Dec. 5: Ryan Strome, Niagara IceDogs
Nov. 22 – Nov. 28: Greg McKegg, Erie Otters
Nov. 15 – Nov. 21: Christian Thomas, Oshawa Generals
Nov. 8 – Nov. 14: Tyler Toffoli, Ottawa 67’s
Nov. 1 – Nov. 7: Jason Akeson, Kitchener Rangers
Oct. 25 – Oct. 31: Justin Shugg, Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors
Oct. 18 – Oct. 24: Joey Hishon, Owen Sound Attack
Oct. 11 – 17: Garrett Wilson, Owen Sound Attack
Oct. 4 – 10: Nathan Moon, Kingston Frontenacs
Sept. 27 – Oct. 3: Greg McKegg, Erie Otters
Sept. 23 – Sept. 26: Alex Aleardi, Plymouth Whalers
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Spitfires Hang on For Win Against Kingston
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Spits 7, Fronts 6
With the winter's first big snowstorm crashing down outside the WFCU Centre, the Windsor Spitfires unleashed a flurry of goals for the second straight game, beating the road-weary Kingston Frontenacs, 7-6, on Sunday afternoon.
Derek Lanoue scored twice, including the game winner, Nick Ebert had a goal and two assists and Tom Kuhnhackl added four assists as the Spitfires won their fifth straight - and 20th game of the season - before a late-arriving, but enthusiastic crowd of 6,384.
The Spitfires (20-11-0-1) got off to a slow start against the Fronts, who were missing several regulars and were billed as a tired team, coming off a pair of losses in Saginaw and Plymouth on Friday and Saturday night.
Charles Sarault opened the scoring for the Fronts just 21 seconds into the game. And by the midway mark of the period, things looked bleak as the Spits trailed 3-0 on goals by Nathan Cull and Nathan Moon.
But after Nick Ebert got the Spits on the board, on the power play, at 14:58, Stephen Johnston gave the home side new life with a great individual effort.
Johnston brought big speed through the neutral zone, busted into the Kingston zone down the right wing and cut to the net before beating former Spitfires goalie Philipp Grubauer with just 26 seconds left in the opening frame.
BACK AND FORTH
From there, the game was a blur of goals and lead changes at times.
Craig Duininck briefly pulled the Spitfires even with a power play goal at the 1:57 mark of the second period.
Then, after Alex Gudbranson restored Kingston's lead at 4-3, Derek Lanoue pulled the Spits even again. His first of the game and fourth of the season came on a nice tip-in of a Michael MacIntyre shot from the point.
Windsor took a two-goal lead with another burst of offense in the second half of the period.
Zack MacQueen roofed one past Grubauer - off a nice feed from Alex Khokhlachev - to make it 5-4 at 12:25, before KoKo sniped one of his own just 1:46 later, on the power play, to make it 6-4.
But Taylor Doherty answered just nine seconds later on a bomb that beat Jack Campbell. And Ryan Spooner scored with a brilliant shot on a breakaway, just 90 seconds later, to tie things at 6-6 after two periods.
Lanoue's second of the afternoon put the Spits up for good at the 4:52 mark of the third.
From there, the home side made the goal stand up with some solid defensive play, limiting the Frontenacs to just seven shots in the third period.
NOTES
It wasn't a very impressive game for Windsor goaltenders. Kingston only had 22 shots in the game and Troy Passingham was replaced by Jack Campbell after giving up the first three goals...Windsor's strong special teams play continued. A night after scoring three shorthanded goals and a power play marker against Sarnia, the Spitfires had three more PPGs in Sunday's game...The Spitfires have now scored 32 goals in their last five games, bringing their season total up to 132. That's the third most in the OHL behind Owen Sound (139) and Ottawa (135) ... The Frontenacs dressed only four defencemen due to injury and Erik Gudbranson being away at Team Canada's World Junior Selection Camp. The Spits dressed only five.
SHOTS ON GOAL
WINDSOR 40, KINGSTON 22
SCORING
FIRST PERIOD
KGN Sarault, (6) (Durocher), 0:21
KGN Cull, (2) (Green), 2:43
KGN Moon, (19) , 9:17
WSR Ebert, (8) (Kuhnhackl, Ryan), 14:58 (PP)
WSR Johnston, (7) (Ebert), 19:34
SECOND PERIOD
WSR Duininck, (2) (Kuhnhackl, Ebert), 1:57 (PP)
KGN Gudbranson, (2) (Durocher, Sarault), 5:36
WSR Lanoue, (4) (MacIntyre, Locke), 7:52
WSR MacQueen, (9) (Khokhlachev, Kuhnhackl), 12:25
WSR Khokhlachev, (16) (Kuhnhackl, Ryan), 14:11 (PP)
KGN Doherty, (5) , 14:20
KGN Spooner, (18) (Stokes), 15:51
THIRD PERIOD
WSR Lanoue, (5) (Johnston, Locke), 4:52
Spits 7, Fronts 6
With the winter's first big snowstorm crashing down outside the WFCU Centre, the Windsor Spitfires unleashed a flurry of goals for the second straight game, beating the road-weary Kingston Frontenacs, 7-6, on Sunday afternoon.
Derek Lanoue scored twice, including the game winner, Nick Ebert had a goal and two assists and Tom Kuhnhackl added four assists as the Spitfires won their fifth straight - and 20th game of the season - before a late-arriving, but enthusiastic crowd of 6,384.
The Spitfires (20-11-0-1) got off to a slow start against the Fronts, who were missing several regulars and were billed as a tired team, coming off a pair of losses in Saginaw and Plymouth on Friday and Saturday night.
Charles Sarault opened the scoring for the Fronts just 21 seconds into the game. And by the midway mark of the period, things looked bleak as the Spits trailed 3-0 on goals by Nathan Cull and Nathan Moon.
But after Nick Ebert got the Spits on the board, on the power play, at 14:58, Stephen Johnston gave the home side new life with a great individual effort.
Johnston brought big speed through the neutral zone, busted into the Kingston zone down the right wing and cut to the net before beating former Spitfires goalie Philipp Grubauer with just 26 seconds left in the opening frame.
BACK AND FORTH
From there, the game was a blur of goals and lead changes at times.
Craig Duininck briefly pulled the Spitfires even with a power play goal at the 1:57 mark of the second period.
Then, after Alex Gudbranson restored Kingston's lead at 4-3, Derek Lanoue pulled the Spits even again. His first of the game and fourth of the season came on a nice tip-in of a Michael MacIntyre shot from the point.
Windsor took a two-goal lead with another burst of offense in the second half of the period.
Zack MacQueen roofed one past Grubauer - off a nice feed from Alex Khokhlachev - to make it 5-4 at 12:25, before KoKo sniped one of his own just 1:46 later, on the power play, to make it 6-4.
But Taylor Doherty answered just nine seconds later on a bomb that beat Jack Campbell. And Ryan Spooner scored with a brilliant shot on a breakaway, just 90 seconds later, to tie things at 6-6 after two periods.
Lanoue's second of the afternoon put the Spits up for good at the 4:52 mark of the third.
From there, the home side made the goal stand up with some solid defensive play, limiting the Frontenacs to just seven shots in the third period.
NOTES
It wasn't a very impressive game for Windsor goaltenders. Kingston only had 22 shots in the game and Troy Passingham was replaced by Jack Campbell after giving up the first three goals...Windsor's strong special teams play continued. A night after scoring three shorthanded goals and a power play marker against Sarnia, the Spitfires had three more PPGs in Sunday's game...The Spitfires have now scored 32 goals in their last five games, bringing their season total up to 132. That's the third most in the OHL behind Owen Sound (139) and Ottawa (135) ... The Frontenacs dressed only four defencemen due to injury and Erik Gudbranson being away at Team Canada's World Junior Selection Camp. The Spits dressed only five.
SHOTS ON GOAL
WINDSOR 40, KINGSTON 22
SCORING
FIRST PERIOD
KGN Sarault, (6) (Durocher), 0:21
KGN Cull, (2) (Green), 2:43
KGN Moon, (19) , 9:17
WSR Ebert, (8) (Kuhnhackl, Ryan), 14:58 (PP)
WSR Johnston, (7) (Ebert), 19:34
SECOND PERIOD
WSR Duininck, (2) (Kuhnhackl, Ebert), 1:57 (PP)
KGN Gudbranson, (2) (Durocher, Sarault), 5:36
WSR Lanoue, (4) (MacIntyre, Locke), 7:52
WSR MacQueen, (9) (Khokhlachev, Kuhnhackl), 12:25
WSR Khokhlachev, (16) (Kuhnhackl, Ryan), 14:11 (PP)
KGN Doherty, (5) , 14:20
KGN Spooner, (18) (Stokes), 15:51
THIRD PERIOD
WSR Lanoue, (5) (Johnston, Locke), 4:52
Spitfires' Locke Picks Up The Slack
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Much of the talk before Saturday night's game was about how the Spitfires would replace the offense missing with both Ryan Ellis and Zack Kassian away at Team Canada's selection camp.
Turns out, there wasn't much to worry about.
Eric Locke led another barrage of scoring with four goals, as Windsor (19-11-1-0) out-gunned the Sarnia Sting, 8-5, at the RBC Centre.
Nick Ebert continued his electric play with three assists and Kenny Ryan added two helpers, while Jack Campbell made 31 saves in goal for his 11th win of the season.
Late in the first period, it was Ryan and Locke who ignited the Spitfires.
With the Sting on a power play, Ryan tied the game at 1-1, at the 16:57 mark, with a great individual effort. Then, just 1:21 later, during the same penalty kill, Ryan and Ebert set up Locke, who scored his first of the night to put the Spitfires up a goal after 20 minutes.
But the momentum didn't last long. And neither did the lead.
Sarnia rookie sensation Nail Yakupov got his 21st goal of the season at the 2:35 mark of the second, during a 5-on-3, to tie the game at 2-2. The Sting took the lead two minutes later, as Brandon Alderson beat Campbell with a blast from the right circle.
Saverio Posa was credited with the tying goal at 8:45, even though it looked distinctly like Alexander Khokhlachev tipped home his wrister to make the game 3-3.
From there, the Spits scored three more times in a span of less than four minutes late in the period.
Kyle Tarini intercepted an errant clearing pass in the Sarnia zone and whipped home his second of the season.
After Tyler Peters quickly tied the game at 4-4, Tom Kuhnhackl and Locke each picked up their 17th goals of the season, sending the Spits to the locker room up 6-4 after 40 minutes.
This time, they wouldn't surrender their lead.
Craig Hottot managed to cut the margin back to one, with a shorthanded goal at the 1:29 mark of the third.
But Locke went back to work just 18 seconds later, scoring his third of the night on the power play to make it 7-5. Locke struck again near the seven-minute mark, on an outstanding shorthanded effort to salt it away.
After busting in on the backhand, Locke hit the post behind Sting goalie Brandon Hope, before punching in his own rebound, for his 19th goal of the season.
SHOTS ON GOAL
SARNIA 36, WINDSOR 33
SCORING
FIRST PERIOD
SAR Ritchie, (10) (Peters, Galchenyuk), 8:16
WSR Ryan, (9) , 16:57 (SH)
WSR Locke, (16) (Ebert, Ryan), 18:18 (SH)
SECOND PERIOD
SAR Yakupov, (21) (Galchenyuk, Peters), 2:35 (PP)
SAR Alderson, (8) (Hottot), 5:00
WSR Posa, (1) , 8:45
WSR Tarini, (2) , 14:40
SAR Peters, (13) (Ritchie, Zupancic), 14:54
WSR Kuhnhackl, (17) (Ebert, Khokhlachev), 17:29 (PP)
WSR Locke, (17) (Johnston), 18:25
THIRD PERIOD
SAR Hottot, (7) , 1:29 (SH)
WSR Locke, (18) (Ebert, Johnston), 1:47 (PP)
WSR Locke, (19) , 7:05 (SH)
Much of the talk before Saturday night's game was about how the Spitfires would replace the offense missing with both Ryan Ellis and Zack Kassian away at Team Canada's selection camp.
Turns out, there wasn't much to worry about.
Eric Locke led another barrage of scoring with four goals, as Windsor (19-11-1-0) out-gunned the Sarnia Sting, 8-5, at the RBC Centre.
Nick Ebert continued his electric play with three assists and Kenny Ryan added two helpers, while Jack Campbell made 31 saves in goal for his 11th win of the season.
Late in the first period, it was Ryan and Locke who ignited the Spitfires.
With the Sting on a power play, Ryan tied the game at 1-1, at the 16:57 mark, with a great individual effort. Then, just 1:21 later, during the same penalty kill, Ryan and Ebert set up Locke, who scored his first of the night to put the Spitfires up a goal after 20 minutes.
But the momentum didn't last long. And neither did the lead.
Sarnia rookie sensation Nail Yakupov got his 21st goal of the season at the 2:35 mark of the second, during a 5-on-3, to tie the game at 2-2. The Sting took the lead two minutes later, as Brandon Alderson beat Campbell with a blast from the right circle.
Saverio Posa was credited with the tying goal at 8:45, even though it looked distinctly like Alexander Khokhlachev tipped home his wrister to make the game 3-3.
From there, the Spits scored three more times in a span of less than four minutes late in the period.
Kyle Tarini intercepted an errant clearing pass in the Sarnia zone and whipped home his second of the season.
After Tyler Peters quickly tied the game at 4-4, Tom Kuhnhackl and Locke each picked up their 17th goals of the season, sending the Spits to the locker room up 6-4 after 40 minutes.
This time, they wouldn't surrender their lead.
Craig Hottot managed to cut the margin back to one, with a shorthanded goal at the 1:29 mark of the third.
But Locke went back to work just 18 seconds later, scoring his third of the night on the power play to make it 7-5. Locke struck again near the seven-minute mark, on an outstanding shorthanded effort to salt it away.
After busting in on the backhand, Locke hit the post behind Sting goalie Brandon Hope, before punching in his own rebound, for his 19th goal of the season.
SHOTS ON GOAL
SARNIA 36, WINDSOR 33
SCORING
FIRST PERIOD
SAR Ritchie, (10) (Peters, Galchenyuk), 8:16
WSR Ryan, (9) , 16:57 (SH)
WSR Locke, (16) (Ebert, Ryan), 18:18 (SH)
SECOND PERIOD
SAR Yakupov, (21) (Galchenyuk, Peters), 2:35 (PP)
SAR Alderson, (8) (Hottot), 5:00
WSR Posa, (1) , 8:45
WSR Tarini, (2) , 14:40
SAR Peters, (13) (Ritchie, Zupancic), 14:54
WSR Kuhnhackl, (17) (Ebert, Khokhlachev), 17:29 (PP)
WSR Locke, (17) (Johnston), 18:25
THIRD PERIOD
SAR Hottot, (7) , 1:29 (SH)
WSR Locke, (18) (Ebert, Johnston), 1:47 (PP)
WSR Locke, (19) , 7:05 (SH)
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Ellis Scores Twice, Spits Clip Hounds
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Ryan Ellis has plenty on his plate these days.
With a third trip to the World Juniors on the horizon this weekend, and the weight of persistent trade rumours swirling around him, you could forgive the fourth-year defenceman if he was a little distracted.
But instead, the Spitfire captain - once again - showed a Thursday night crowd of 6,012 why he is an all-time great.
Ellis scored a pair of goals, including the game-winner, and added an assist as the Spitfires outlasted the Soo Greyhounds, 4-3, to move to within five points of the idle Saginaw Spirit for first place in the Western Division.
Nick Ebert had the other two goals and a three point night for Windsor (18-11-0-1), while Jack Campbell made 25 saves in the win.
Nick Cousins scored a pair of goals, his 12th and 13th of the year, for the Greyhounds. Chad Thibodeau added his third of the season in a losing cause.
It was the final OHL game of 2010 for Ellis and teammate Zack Kassian. The pair will leave Windsor Saturday for Toronto, where they will take part in Team Canada's World Junior training camp.
"It's great to be going back to the World Juniors," Ellis told windsorspitfires.com. "And, ya, it's great to bring Kass along. He brings a lot to the table and he's scoring a lot of points in this league. So, hopefully, he can make the team and we'll see what happens."
NOTES
*The Spitfires went 1-for-4 on the power play, while the Greyhounds were 0-for-3.
Kassian assisted on Ellis and Ebert's first goals of the night.
*Campbell will remain with the team through the weekend. Team USA's training camp doesn't start until next week.
SHOTS ON GOAL
WINDSOR 32, SOO 28
SCORING
FIRST PERIOD
WSR Ellis, (11) (Locke, Kassian), 3:43
WSR Ebert, (6) (Lanoue, Ryan), 10:32
SSM Thibodeau, (3) (Catenacci, Sulmonte), 11:56
WSR Ebert, (7) (Ellis, Kassian), 18:26
SECOND PERIOD
SSM Cousins, (12) (Catenacci), 1:02
SSM Cousins, (13) (Miller), 4:11
WSR Ellis, (12) (Ebert), 6:51 (PP)
THIRD PERIOD
No Scoring
Ryan Ellis has plenty on his plate these days.
With a third trip to the World Juniors on the horizon this weekend, and the weight of persistent trade rumours swirling around him, you could forgive the fourth-year defenceman if he was a little distracted.
But instead, the Spitfire captain - once again - showed a Thursday night crowd of 6,012 why he is an all-time great.
Ellis scored a pair of goals, including the game-winner, and added an assist as the Spitfires outlasted the Soo Greyhounds, 4-3, to move to within five points of the idle Saginaw Spirit for first place in the Western Division.
Nick Ebert had the other two goals and a three point night for Windsor (18-11-0-1), while Jack Campbell made 25 saves in the win.
Nick Cousins scored a pair of goals, his 12th and 13th of the year, for the Greyhounds. Chad Thibodeau added his third of the season in a losing cause.
It was the final OHL game of 2010 for Ellis and teammate Zack Kassian. The pair will leave Windsor Saturday for Toronto, where they will take part in Team Canada's World Junior training camp.
"It's great to be going back to the World Juniors," Ellis told windsorspitfires.com. "And, ya, it's great to bring Kass along. He brings a lot to the table and he's scoring a lot of points in this league. So, hopefully, he can make the team and we'll see what happens."
NOTES
*The Spitfires went 1-for-4 on the power play, while the Greyhounds were 0-for-3.
Kassian assisted on Ellis and Ebert's first goals of the night.
*Campbell will remain with the team through the weekend. Team USA's training camp doesn't start until next week.
SHOTS ON GOAL
WINDSOR 32, SOO 28
SCORING
FIRST PERIOD
WSR Ellis, (11) (Locke, Kassian), 3:43
WSR Ebert, (6) (Lanoue, Ryan), 10:32
SSM Thibodeau, (3) (Catenacci, Sulmonte), 11:56
WSR Ebert, (7) (Ellis, Kassian), 18:26
SECOND PERIOD
SSM Cousins, (12) (Catenacci), 1:02
SSM Cousins, (13) (Miller), 4:11
WSR Ellis, (12) (Ebert), 6:51 (PP)
THIRD PERIOD
No Scoring
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Troy Passingham – The Windsor Spitfires Player of the Week
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He's come up big time and time again for the Spits.
But you'd be hard-pressed to find a pair of games in which Troy Passingham has played better than in back-to-back road wins over Peterborough and Oshawa this weekend.
And for his efforts, he's been named the Spitfires Player of the Week, by the coaching staff, for the week ending Sunday December 5th.
'Passer' made 36 saves, many of them spectacular with the game scorless through the first 30 minutes, in an eventual 7-1 win over the Petes on Saturday night. Called upon again on Sunday, with Jack Campbell nursing a bruised knee, Passingham turned in another great effort, stopping 26 shots in a 6-3 win over the Generals.
On both occassions, Passingham kept the Spits in the game, before they exploded for five goals in the third period of each win.
"I felt really comfortable all week in practice," the 20-year-old goaltender told windsorspitfires.com. "I felt good in my preparation on both nights and was focused during the games."
Many of his 62 stops over the weekend were eye-popping, highlight reel material.
"I guess they were a lot of being in the right position. I made the easy saves. And then, a few of the bigger ones, again a combination of being in the right spot a lot...and a little luck always helps."
Passingham has been rock-solid for the Spitfires this season: with a record of 8-2-0-1, a goals against average of 2.94 and an outstanding .905 save percentage.
He and Jack Campbell combine to form arguably the OHL's best one-two punch in goal. And Passingham credits his partner for much of his success.
"We're roommates on the road. He's a great guy, a great player and a great friend. He's done well at every level he's played at. We feed off each other. We watch each other play; share the success and the mistakes. He's really helped make me a better person and a better player."
Passingham's numbers rank him 12th out of the 29 goalies that have suited up for an OHL team this season.
2010-2011 Windsor Spitfires’ Players of the Week
Troy Passingham – Nov. 29 – Dec. 5, 2010
Eric Locke – Nov. 22 – Nov. 28, 2010
Ryan Ellis – Nov. 15 – Nov. 21, 2010
Tom Kuhnhackl – Nov. 8 – Nov. 14, 2010
Tom Kuhnhackl – Nov. 1 – Nov. 7, 2010
Jack Campbell – Oct. 25 – Oct. 31, 2010
Tom Kuhnhackl – Oct. 18 – Oct. 24, 2010
Eric Locke – Oct. 11 – Oct. 17, 2010
Zack Kassian – Oct. 4 – Oct. 11, 2010
Kyle Tarini – Sep. 27 – Oct. 3, 2010
Alexander Khokhlachev – Sep. 21 – Sep. 27, 2010
He's come up big time and time again for the Spits.
But you'd be hard-pressed to find a pair of games in which Troy Passingham has played better than in back-to-back road wins over Peterborough and Oshawa this weekend.
And for his efforts, he's been named the Spitfires Player of the Week, by the coaching staff, for the week ending Sunday December 5th.
'Passer' made 36 saves, many of them spectacular with the game scorless through the first 30 minutes, in an eventual 7-1 win over the Petes on Saturday night. Called upon again on Sunday, with Jack Campbell nursing a bruised knee, Passingham turned in another great effort, stopping 26 shots in a 6-3 win over the Generals.
On both occassions, Passingham kept the Spits in the game, before they exploded for five goals in the third period of each win.
"I felt really comfortable all week in practice," the 20-year-old goaltender told windsorspitfires.com. "I felt good in my preparation on both nights and was focused during the games."
Many of his 62 stops over the weekend were eye-popping, highlight reel material.
"I guess they were a lot of being in the right position. I made the easy saves. And then, a few of the bigger ones, again a combination of being in the right spot a lot...and a little luck always helps."
Passingham has been rock-solid for the Spitfires this season: with a record of 8-2-0-1, a goals against average of 2.94 and an outstanding .905 save percentage.
He and Jack Campbell combine to form arguably the OHL's best one-two punch in goal. And Passingham credits his partner for much of his success.
"We're roommates on the road. He's a great guy, a great player and a great friend. He's done well at every level he's played at. We feed off each other. We watch each other play; share the success and the mistakes. He's really helped make me a better person and a better player."
Passingham's numbers rank him 12th out of the 29 goalies that have suited up for an OHL team this season.
2010-2011 Windsor Spitfires’ Players of the Week
Troy Passingham – Nov. 29 – Dec. 5, 2010
Eric Locke – Nov. 22 – Nov. 28, 2010
Ryan Ellis – Nov. 15 – Nov. 21, 2010
Tom Kuhnhackl – Nov. 8 – Nov. 14, 2010
Tom Kuhnhackl – Nov. 1 – Nov. 7, 2010
Jack Campbell – Oct. 25 – Oct. 31, 2010
Tom Kuhnhackl – Oct. 18 – Oct. 24, 2010
Eric Locke – Oct. 11 – Oct. 17, 2010
Zack Kassian – Oct. 4 – Oct. 11, 2010
Kyle Tarini – Sep. 27 – Oct. 3, 2010
Alexander Khokhlachev – Sep. 21 – Sep. 27, 2010
Spitfire Jack Campbell Selected to 2010 U.S. National Junior Team
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Preliminary Roster Set for 2010 U.S. National Junior Team
Twenty-Nine Players Invited to Pre-Tournament Camp in New York
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - USA Hockey today named the 29 players that have been invited to its pre-tournament camp beginning Dec. 17 in Troy, Rochester, Jamestown and Amherst, N.Y., and make up the preliminary 2011 U.S. National Junior Team roster.
The camp will include exhibition games against Rensselaer's men's ice hockey team (Dec. 19), the Czech Republic (Dec. 21) and Norway (Dec. 23). The final U.S. National Junior Team 22-man roster will be announced prior to Team USA's final exhibition game against Norway.
The 2011 U.S. National Junior Team will compete at the International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship, Dec. 26, 2010-Jan. 5, 2011, in Buffalo and Niagara, N.Y.
NOTE
Preliminary Roster Set for 2010 U.S. National Junior Team
Twenty-Nine Players Invited to Pre-Tournament Camp in New York
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - USA Hockey today named the 29 players that have been invited to its pre-tournament camp beginning Dec. 17 in Troy, Rochester, Jamestown and Amherst, N.Y., and make up the preliminary 2011 U.S. National Junior Team roster.
The camp will include exhibition games against Rensselaer's men's ice hockey team (Dec. 19), the Czech Republic (Dec. 21) and Norway (Dec. 23). The final U.S. National Junior Team 22-man roster will be announced prior to Team USA's final exhibition game against Norway.
The 2011 U.S. National Junior Team will compete at the International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship, Dec. 26, 2010-Jan. 5, 2011, in Buffalo and Niagara, N.Y.
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| Jack Campbell's new mask Photo by Joe Lemire / In Play! Magazine |
"We're excited with the group of players coming to the camp," said Jim Johannson, general manager of the 2011 U.S. National Junior Team and also the assistant executive director of hockey operations for USA Hockey. "It was difficult to get down to the 29 and we'll have some tough decisions to get down to our final 22-man roster, but that's a good problem to have."
Among those invited to the camp are eight returning players from the gold medal-winning 2010 U.S. National Junior Team, including goaltender Jack Campbell (Port Huron, Mich.); defenseman John Ramage (Chesterfield, Mo./Univ. of Wisconsin); and forwards Ryan Bourque (Boxford, Mass.), Jerry D'Amigo (Binghamton, N.Y.), Chris Kreider (Boxford, Mass./Boston College), Jeremy Morin (Auburn, N.Y.), Kyle Palmieri (Montvale, N.J.) and Jason Zucker (Las Vegas, Nev./Univ. of Denver).Also highlighting the preliminary roster are 11 players from the gold medal-winning 2010 U.S. National Under-18 Team, including Campbell and Andy Iles (Ithaca, N.Y./Cornell Univ.) in goal; defensemen Adam Clendening (Niagara Falls, N.Y./Boston Univ.), Justin Faulk (South St. Paul, Minn./Univ. of Minnesota Duluth), Derek Forbort (Duluth, Minn./Univ. of North Dakota) and Jon Merrill (Brighton, Mich./Univ. of Michigan); and forwards Connor Brickley (Everett, Mass./Univ. of Vermont), Rocco Grimaldi (Rossmoor, Calif.), Matt Nieto (Long Beach, Calif./Boston Univ.), Brandon Saad (Gibsonia, Pa.) and Zucker.
NOTE
The U.S. will be defending its 2010 IIHF World Junior Championship gold medal, having defeated Canada, 6-5, in overtime, to claim the title last year in Saskatoon, Sask.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Spits Win Again!
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Thrills in the Third
The location changed, but the recipe stayed the same: get great goaltending and dominate the third period.
It worked Saturday night in Peterborough, and again Sunday in Oshawa, as the Spits scored five times in the third period for a 6-3 win over the Generals.
Troy Passingham had another outstanding game, making 26 saves in his second straight start. Kenny Ryan scored twice and Ryan Ellis added a goal and two assists, as Windsor (17-11-0-1) won their seventh road game of the season, and second in two nights.
After a fast-paced, but scoreless first period, the Spitfires got the game's first goal early in the second.
Just 32 seconds in, Tom Kuhnhackl grabbed an Ellis pass, streaked in on a breakaway, and beat Oshawa goalie Kevin Bailie for his team-leading 16th goal of the season.
Mark Petaccio quickly tied it for the Generals at the 2:07 mark. Then, the Generals took what would be their only lead of the night, as Lucas Lessio whipped a shot from the right circle and through a screen to beat Passingham at 7:34.
Down 2-1 after 40 minutes, the Spits went to work in the third period.
Kenny Ryan evened things at two with a blue-collar goal, as he and Zack MacQueen stormed the Oshawa goal less than three minutes into the frame.
Troy Passingham kept the game tied with several outstanding saves, denying Josh Graves near the six minute mark and then making an even better stop on a Christian Thomas wraparound, a couple minutes later.
Passer's handywork allowed the Spits to take a lead they wouldn't give up.
Off a face-off in the Oshawa zone, Zack Kassian was left all alone, to Bailie's left, and he finished off a nifty cross-crease pass from Stephen Johnston, to make it 3-2, at 11:04.
A five-minute, checking-from-behind penalty to Jeff Brown gave the Spitfires a golden opportunity to extend their lead. And they did just that, as Zack MacQueen slid home the eventual game-winner with about six minutes to play.
Christian Thomas scored his 21st of the year to cut the lead to 4-3 at 18:37. But empty-net goals from Ryan and Ellis salted away the win.
SHOTS ON GOAL
WINDSOR 44, OSHAWA 29
POWER PLAYS
WINDSOR 1-FOR-7
OSHAWA 0-FOR-6
SCORING
FIRST PERIOD
No scoring
SECOND PERIOD
WSR Kuhnhackl, (16) (Ellis), 0:32
OSH Petaccio, (3) (Graves), 2:07
OSH Lessio, (10) (Brown, Valentine), 7:34
THIRD PERIOD
WSR Ryan, (7) (MacQueen, Ellis), 2:57
WSR Kassian, (15) (Johnston, Ebert), 11:04
WSR MacQueen, (8) (Kassian, Kuhnhackl), 13:44 (PP)
OSH Thomas, (21) (Jenner, DeHart), 18:37
WSR Ryan, (8) , 19:03 (EN)
WSR Ellis, (10) (Johnston), 19:34 (EN)
Thrills in the Third
The location changed, but the recipe stayed the same: get great goaltending and dominate the third period.
It worked Saturday night in Peterborough, and again Sunday in Oshawa, as the Spits scored five times in the third period for a 6-3 win over the Generals.
Troy Passingham had another outstanding game, making 26 saves in his second straight start. Kenny Ryan scored twice and Ryan Ellis added a goal and two assists, as Windsor (17-11-0-1) won their seventh road game of the season, and second in two nights.
After a fast-paced, but scoreless first period, the Spitfires got the game's first goal early in the second.
Just 32 seconds in, Tom Kuhnhackl grabbed an Ellis pass, streaked in on a breakaway, and beat Oshawa goalie Kevin Bailie for his team-leading 16th goal of the season.
Mark Petaccio quickly tied it for the Generals at the 2:07 mark. Then, the Generals took what would be their only lead of the night, as Lucas Lessio whipped a shot from the right circle and through a screen to beat Passingham at 7:34.
Down 2-1 after 40 minutes, the Spits went to work in the third period.
Kenny Ryan evened things at two with a blue-collar goal, as he and Zack MacQueen stormed the Oshawa goal less than three minutes into the frame.
Troy Passingham kept the game tied with several outstanding saves, denying Josh Graves near the six minute mark and then making an even better stop on a Christian Thomas wraparound, a couple minutes later.
Passer's handywork allowed the Spits to take a lead they wouldn't give up.
Off a face-off in the Oshawa zone, Zack Kassian was left all alone, to Bailie's left, and he finished off a nifty cross-crease pass from Stephen Johnston, to make it 3-2, at 11:04.
A five-minute, checking-from-behind penalty to Jeff Brown gave the Spitfires a golden opportunity to extend their lead. And they did just that, as Zack MacQueen slid home the eventual game-winner with about six minutes to play.
Christian Thomas scored his 21st of the year to cut the lead to 4-3 at 18:37. But empty-net goals from Ryan and Ellis salted away the win.
SHOTS ON GOAL
WINDSOR 44, OSHAWA 29
POWER PLAYS
WINDSOR 1-FOR-7
OSHAWA 0-FOR-6
SCORING
FIRST PERIOD
No scoring
SECOND PERIOD
WSR Kuhnhackl, (16) (Ellis), 0:32
OSH Petaccio, (3) (Graves), 2:07
OSH Lessio, (10) (Brown, Valentine), 7:34
THIRD PERIOD
WSR Ryan, (7) (MacQueen, Ellis), 2:57
WSR Kassian, (15) (Johnston, Ebert), 11:04
WSR MacQueen, (8) (Kassian, Kuhnhackl), 13:44 (PP)
OSH Thomas, (21) (Jenner, DeHart), 18:37
WSR Ryan, (8) , 19:03 (EN)
WSR Ellis, (10) (Johnston), 19:34 (EN)
WINDSOR SPITFIRES - The Kass and Pass Show
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When Zack Kassian was traded to Windsor from Peterborough last season, he went on to play a key role in helping the team to its second straight Memorial Cup title.
Barreling down the right wing, on a 2-on-1 rush with Eric Locke, Kassian beat Bryce O'Hagan with a quick, hard shot to the low glove side to make it 1-0 Windsor.
The Spits took their two-goal lead to the third.
ANOTHER BIG FINISH
Alan Quine briefly cut the lead to 2-1, with his 12th of the season, just 53 seconds into the third period.
Stephen Johnston put the game out of reach at the 6:53 mark, scoring his sixth of the year off a nifty give-and-go between Ryan Ellis and Eric Locke.
Michael MacIntyre and Brendan McCann added late goals to round out the scoring.
NOTES
*The Spits have 11 goals in the third period of their last two games with the Petes. They scored six in the third in a 7-2 win at the WFCU Centre, on Sunday.
*Goalie Bryce O'Hagan gave up all seven Windsor goals on 35 shots.
*McCann's tally came at 19:59 and was his first Spitfires goal.
SHOTS ON GOAL
PETERBOROUGH 38, WINDSOR 35
POWER PLAYS
WINDSOR 2-FOR-5
PETERBOROUGH 0-FOR-5
SCORING
FIRST PERIOD
No Scoring
SECOND PERIOD
WSR Kassian, (13) (Ellis), 14:15
WSR Kassian, (14) (Duininck, Ebert), 17:03
THIRD PERIOD
PBO Quine, (12) (Martschini, Larson), 0:53
WSR Khokhlachev, (15) (Kassian, Kuhnhackl), 4:39 (PP)
WSR Ebert, (5) (MacQueen, Kassian), 5:35 (PP)
WSR Johnston, (6) (Ellis, Locke), 6:53
WSR MacIntyre, (6) (Vail), 17:47
WSR McCann, (1) (Vail, Khokhlachev), 19:59
When Zack Kassian was traded to Windsor from Peterborough last season, he went on to play a key role in helping the team to its second straight Memorial Cup title.
And tonight, in a return visit to face his former team, he reminded Petes fans what they're missing.
Kassian had two goals and two assists, as the Spits thumped the Petes for the second time in six days, in a 7-1 win.
Troy Passingham was outstanding for Windsor (16-11-0-1), making 37 saves to win his seventh game in nine decisions.
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| Troy Passingham Photo By Joe Lemire / In Play! Magazine |
QUIET FIRST
Passingham was the story of the opening period, making 11 stops - several of them eye-poppers, including a save-of-the-year candidate on a lunging effort to rob Lino Martschini.
The veteran goaltender kept the game scoreless, as the Spits weren't sharp in the opening 20 minutes.
QUICK STRIKE KASS
With the game still 0-0, late in the second, it was Kassian that got the Spits going with a pair of quick goals.
Barreling down the right wing, on a 2-on-1 rush with Eric Locke, Kassian beat Bryce O'Hagan with a quick, hard shot to the low glove side to make it 1-0 Windsor.
During his next shift, Kassian struck again on a magnificent play to make it 2-0. The big winger picked up a loose puck in his own zone and blew through the entire Peterborough team, before racing in on the left wing and shovelling home his 14th of the season.
The Spits took their two-goal lead to the third.
ANOTHER BIG FINISH
Alan Quine briefly cut the lead to 2-1, with his 12th of the season, just 53 seconds into the third period.
But it was all Windsor from there, as the Spits scored five times in a 15-minute span.
 |
| Zack Kassian Photo by Joe Lemire / In Play! Magazine |
And again, Kassian was the catalyst.
On the power play, number-19 found a streaking Alexander Khokhlachev for a tip-in goal to make it 3-1 Windsor, at 4:39. About a minute later, and still on the power play, Kassian fed Zack MacQueen, who found Nick Ebert cross-crease to make it 4-1.
Stephen Johnston put the game out of reach at the 6:53 mark, scoring his sixth of the year off a nifty give-and-go between Ryan Ellis and Eric Locke.
Michael MacIntyre and Brendan McCann added late goals to round out the scoring.
NOTES
*The Spits have 11 goals in the third period of their last two games with the Petes. They scored six in the third in a 7-2 win at the WFCU Centre, on Sunday.
*Goalie Bryce O'Hagan gave up all seven Windsor goals on 35 shots.
*McCann's tally came at 19:59 and was his first Spitfires goal.
SHOTS ON GOAL
PETERBOROUGH 38, WINDSOR 35
POWER PLAYS
WINDSOR 2-FOR-5
PETERBOROUGH 0-FOR-5
SCORING
FIRST PERIOD
No Scoring
SECOND PERIOD
WSR Kassian, (13) (Ellis), 14:15
WSR Kassian, (14) (Duininck, Ebert), 17:03
THIRD PERIOD
PBO Quine, (12) (Martschini, Larson), 0:53
WSR Khokhlachev, (15) (Kassian, Kuhnhackl), 4:39 (PP)
WSR Ebert, (5) (MacQueen, Kassian), 5:35 (PP)
WSR Johnston, (6) (Ellis, Locke), 6:53
WSR MacIntyre, (6) (Vail), 17:47
WSR McCann, (1) (Vail, Khokhlachev), 19:59
Friday, December 3, 2010
Spitfire(s) Locke Up OHL Players of the Month
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OHL Announces Top Performers of the Month for November
Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the top OHL Performers of the Month for November, 2010.
OHL Player of the Month – Jason Akeson, Kitchener Rangers
Jason Akeson of the Kitchener Rangers led the OHL with an impressive 29 points in 10 games played in November. He scored six goals and added 23 assists and tied for second in the league with a plus-minus rating of plus-15. He recorded points in all 10 games this month with multi-point efforts in seven contests to lead the Rangers to an 8-1-0-1 record in November. He was named the CHL and OHL Player of the Week for the week ending November 7 after scoring 15 points in three games highlighted by a career-high six point game November 5 with two goals and four assists as first star of an 8-0 win over the Belleville Bulls.
Akeson, a 20-year-old from Orleans, ON, is playing in his fourth OHL season with the Rangers. He currently leads the OHL in scoring with 48 points including 12 goals and 36 assists in 24 games.
Kal Tire OHL Rookie of the Month – Eric Locke, Windsor Spitfires
Eric Locke of the Windsor Spitfires led all OHL rookies with nine goals in November and added three assists for 12 points in 10 games with a plus-minus rating of plus-4. He recorded three-point performances in three different games this month including the first two hat-tricks of his OHL career. His first career hat-trick included the game-winning goal as first star of a 7-3 win over the London Knights on November 19, and he was also named first star of the game scoring three goals in a 7-2 win over the Peterborough Petes to close out the month on November 28.
Locke, a 17-year-old from Toronto, ON, was selected by the Spitfires in the 13th round of the 2009 OHL Priority Selection. Eligible for the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, Locke is second among rookies in goals with 15 and tied for sixth overall in scoring with 22 points in 27 games.
OHL Defenceman of the Month – Ryan Ellis, Windsor Spitfires
Ryan Ellis of the Windsor Spitfires scored five goals and 12 assists for 17 points in 10 games in November. He produced five multi-point games including a season-high four-point game with two goals including the overtime winner plus two assists as third star of a 6-5 victory over the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds on November 20. He also recorded three assists in front of a hometown crowd November 26 as first star of a 5-2 win over the Oshawa Generals on a night where he was honoured pre-game for setting a new Spitfires record for points by a defenceman with 230. He set the record with an assist on November 10 breaking the record previously held by Chicago Blackhawks Head Coach and Spitfire great Joel Quenneville.
Ellis, a 19-year-old from Freelton, ON, is playing in his fourth OHL season. Recently named to Canada’s National Junior Team Selection Camp Roster for the third straight year, the Nashville Predators prospect captained Team OHL at the 2010 SUBWAY Super Series and is second in scoring among defencemen with 32 points in 24 games.
Vaughn OHL Goaltender of the Month – Scott Wedgewood, Plymouth Whalers
Scott Wedgewood of the Plymouth Whalers earned a 7-1-0-0 record in November with a league-best goals-against-average of 1.65 and save percentage of .947. He was named the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the week ending November 28 highlighted by a shutout victory November 24 in a 3-0 win over the Saginaw Spirit with 37 saves. He made a total of 248 saves in November including 40 as first star of a 3-2 shootout win over the Brampton Battalion on November 4. He also stopped all six shots he faced in his start for Team OHL sharing a 4-0 shutout win with Scott Stajcer over Team Russia in the SUBWAY Super Series game played November 11 in London, ON.
Wedgewood, an 18-year-old from Brampton, ON, is playing in his third OHL season with the Whalers. Selected in the third round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft by the New Jersey Devils, he is among the league leaders with a goals-against-average of 2.48 and save percentage of .920 and is tied for second in the league with two shutouts.
2010-11 OHL Top Performers of the Month
Player of the Month:
November – Jason Akeson, Kitchener Rangers
October – Garrett Wilson, Owen Sound Attack
Kal Tire Rookie of the Month:
November – Eric Locke, Windsor Spitfires
October – Nail Yakupov, Sarnia Sting
Defenceman of the Month:
November – Ryan Ellis, Windsor Spitfires
October – Ryan Murphy, Kitchener Rangers
Vaughn Goaltender of the Month:
November – Scott Wedgewood, Plymouth Whalers
October – Mavric Parks, Saginaw Spirit
OHL Announces Top Performers of the Month for November
Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the top OHL Performers of the Month for November, 2010.
OHL Player of the Month – Jason Akeson, Kitchener Rangers
Jason Akeson of the Kitchener Rangers led the OHL with an impressive 29 points in 10 games played in November. He scored six goals and added 23 assists and tied for second in the league with a plus-minus rating of plus-15. He recorded points in all 10 games this month with multi-point efforts in seven contests to lead the Rangers to an 8-1-0-1 record in November. He was named the CHL and OHL Player of the Week for the week ending November 7 after scoring 15 points in three games highlighted by a career-high six point game November 5 with two goals and four assists as first star of an 8-0 win over the Belleville Bulls.
Akeson, a 20-year-old from Orleans, ON, is playing in his fourth OHL season with the Rangers. He currently leads the OHL in scoring with 48 points including 12 goals and 36 assists in 24 games.
Kal Tire OHL Rookie of the Month – Eric Locke, Windsor Spitfires
Eric Locke of the Windsor Spitfires led all OHL rookies with nine goals in November and added three assists for 12 points in 10 games with a plus-minus rating of plus-4. He recorded three-point performances in three different games this month including the first two hat-tricks of his OHL career. His first career hat-trick included the game-winning goal as first star of a 7-3 win over the London Knights on November 19, and he was also named first star of the game scoring three goals in a 7-2 win over the Peterborough Petes to close out the month on November 28.
Locke, a 17-year-old from Toronto, ON, was selected by the Spitfires in the 13th round of the 2009 OHL Priority Selection. Eligible for the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, Locke is second among rookies in goals with 15 and tied for sixth overall in scoring with 22 points in 27 games.
OHL Defenceman of the Month – Ryan Ellis, Windsor Spitfires
Ryan Ellis of the Windsor Spitfires scored five goals and 12 assists for 17 points in 10 games in November. He produced five multi-point games including a season-high four-point game with two goals including the overtime winner plus two assists as third star of a 6-5 victory over the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds on November 20. He also recorded three assists in front of a hometown crowd November 26 as first star of a 5-2 win over the Oshawa Generals on a night where he was honoured pre-game for setting a new Spitfires record for points by a defenceman with 230. He set the record with an assist on November 10 breaking the record previously held by Chicago Blackhawks Head Coach and Spitfire great Joel Quenneville.
Ellis, a 19-year-old from Freelton, ON, is playing in his fourth OHL season. Recently named to Canada’s National Junior Team Selection Camp Roster for the third straight year, the Nashville Predators prospect captained Team OHL at the 2010 SUBWAY Super Series and is second in scoring among defencemen with 32 points in 24 games.
Vaughn OHL Goaltender of the Month – Scott Wedgewood, Plymouth Whalers
Scott Wedgewood of the Plymouth Whalers earned a 7-1-0-0 record in November with a league-best goals-against-average of 1.65 and save percentage of .947. He was named the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the week ending November 28 highlighted by a shutout victory November 24 in a 3-0 win over the Saginaw Spirit with 37 saves. He made a total of 248 saves in November including 40 as first star of a 3-2 shootout win over the Brampton Battalion on November 4. He also stopped all six shots he faced in his start for Team OHL sharing a 4-0 shutout win with Scott Stajcer over Team Russia in the SUBWAY Super Series game played November 11 in London, ON.
Wedgewood, an 18-year-old from Brampton, ON, is playing in his third OHL season with the Whalers. Selected in the third round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft by the New Jersey Devils, he is among the league leaders with a goals-against-average of 2.48 and save percentage of .920 and is tied for second in the league with two shutouts.
2010-11 OHL Top Performers of the Month
Player of the Month:
November – Jason Akeson, Kitchener Rangers
October – Garrett Wilson, Owen Sound Attack
Kal Tire Rookie of the Month:
November – Eric Locke, Windsor Spitfires
October – Nail Yakupov, Sarnia Sting
Defenceman of the Month:
November – Ryan Ellis, Windsor Spitfires
October – Ryan Murphy, Kitchener Rangers
Vaughn Goaltender of the Month:
November – Scott Wedgewood, Plymouth Whalers
October – Mavric Parks, Saginaw Spirit
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Spitfires get Iced by Niagra
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Strome Sends ‘Em Home
He's part of one of the most dangerous trios in the OHL. And for 58 minutes, the Spitfires held him off the scoresheet.
But Ryan Strome's goal late in the third period gave the IceDogs a lead they wouldn't give up, as Niagara (16-7-2-1) dumped Windsor, 5-3 on Thursday night, in a sloppy affair at the WFCU Centre.
After the Spitfires took a 1-0 lead, just four minutes into the game, on Eric Locke's 15th goal of the season, the ice started to tilt in favour of the visitors.
Dylan MacEachern bounced a seeing-eye goal in off goalie Jack Campbell's skate from behind the net, to tie the game at 1-1 at the 9:30 mark. Then, just 34 seconds later, David Pacan finished off a real nice give-and-go with Andrew Agozzino to give the IceDogs the lead.
Niagara rounded out the scoring in the first period with a power play goal - Andrew Agozzino's 18th of the year - for a 3-1 lead after 20 minutes.
But the Spits found a way to get back in the game.
Alexander Khokhlachev pulled Windsor (15-11-0-1) to within a goal, with his 13th of year on the power play, at 10:01 of the second period.
Then, after a couple of failed power play attempts early in the third period, the Spits sent the home crowd into a frenzy, as Kenny Ryan tipped home a Khokhlachev shot to pull the Spits even at 14:12.
The game looked destined for overtime. But again, a defensive lapse cost the Spitfires - this time the decisive goal.
Strome blazed down the left wing, sneaking in behind the Windsor defence and burying a gorgeous, cross-ice pass from Freddie Hamilton, to make it 4-3 Niagara.
Hamilton and his brother Dougie then combined to set up Strome for his second of the night, and 13th of the year, into an empty net to round out the scoring.
SHOTS ON GOAL
NIAGARA 33, WINDSOR 32
SCORING
FIRST PERIOD- WSR Locke, (15) (Johnston, Ellis), 4:02 - NIAG MacEachern, (1) , 9:30 - NIAG Pacan, (9) (Agozzino), 10:14 - NIAG Agozzino, (18) (Hamilton, Strome), 16:04 (PP)
SECOND PERIOD - WSR Khokhlachev, (13) (Kassian, Duininck), 10:01 (PP)
THIRD PERIOD - WSR Ryan, (7) (Khokhlachev, Ellis), 14:12 - NIAG Strome, (12) (Hamilton, Graham), 18:14 - NIAG Strome, (13) (Hamilton, Hamilton), 19:20 (EN)
The Windsor Spitfires will host Sparky’s Toy Drive, presented by AM800 CKLW and Windsor Fire and Rescue Services at the Thursday, December 9th 7:05 p.m. game against the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds at the WFCU Centre. All fans attending the game are encouraged to bring new toys, which will be collected at the WFCU Centre entrances by Windsor firefighters. Additionally, fans can also donate funds to the cause as Windsor Fire and Rescue Services will be passing throughout the stands during a game intermission.
Strome Sends ‘Em Home
He's part of one of the most dangerous trios in the OHL. And for 58 minutes, the Spitfires held him off the scoresheet.
But Ryan Strome's goal late in the third period gave the IceDogs a lead they wouldn't give up, as Niagara (16-7-2-1) dumped Windsor, 5-3 on Thursday night, in a sloppy affair at the WFCU Centre.
After the Spitfires took a 1-0 lead, just four minutes into the game, on Eric Locke's 15th goal of the season, the ice started to tilt in favour of the visitors.
Dylan MacEachern bounced a seeing-eye goal in off goalie Jack Campbell's skate from behind the net, to tie the game at 1-1 at the 9:30 mark. Then, just 34 seconds later, David Pacan finished off a real nice give-and-go with Andrew Agozzino to give the IceDogs the lead.
Niagara rounded out the scoring in the first period with a power play goal - Andrew Agozzino's 18th of the year - for a 3-1 lead after 20 minutes.
But the Spits found a way to get back in the game.
Alexander Khokhlachev pulled Windsor (15-11-0-1) to within a goal, with his 13th of year on the power play, at 10:01 of the second period.
Then, after a couple of failed power play attempts early in the third period, the Spits sent the home crowd into a frenzy, as Kenny Ryan tipped home a Khokhlachev shot to pull the Spits even at 14:12.
The game looked destined for overtime. But again, a defensive lapse cost the Spitfires - this time the decisive goal.
Strome blazed down the left wing, sneaking in behind the Windsor defence and burying a gorgeous, cross-ice pass from Freddie Hamilton, to make it 4-3 Niagara.
Hamilton and his brother Dougie then combined to set up Strome for his second of the night, and 13th of the year, into an empty net to round out the scoring.
SHOTS ON GOAL
NIAGARA 33, WINDSOR 32
SCORING
FIRST PERIOD- WSR Locke, (15) (Johnston, Ellis), 4:02 - NIAG MacEachern, (1) , 9:30 - NIAG Pacan, (9) (Agozzino), 10:14 - NIAG Agozzino, (18) (Hamilton, Strome), 16:04 (PP)
SECOND PERIOD - WSR Khokhlachev, (13) (Kassian, Duininck), 10:01 (PP)
THIRD PERIOD - WSR Ryan, (7) (Khokhlachev, Ellis), 14:12 - NIAG Strome, (12) (Hamilton, Graham), 18:14 - NIAG Strome, (13) (Hamilton, Hamilton), 19:20 (EN)
The Windsor Spitfires will host Sparky’s Toy Drive, presented by AM800 CKLW and Windsor Fire and Rescue Services at the Thursday, December 9th 7:05 p.m. game against the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds at the WFCU Centre. All fans attending the game are encouraged to bring new toys, which will be collected at the WFCU Centre entrances by Windsor firefighters. Additionally, fans can also donate funds to the cause as Windsor Fire and Rescue Services will be passing throughout the stands during a game intermission.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Windsor Spitfires Host Captains Luncheon, Unveil Wall of Captains
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Earlier today, the Windsor Spitfires were proud to host the inaugural Spitfire Captains Luncheon in the Media/Scout Room at the WFCU Centre. The Captains Luncheon brought together seven Spitfire captains including current captain Ryan Ellis and past captains such as Scott Miller (1975-1976), Ernie Godden (1980-1981), Bill Bowler (1994-1995), Spitfires Associate Coach D.J. Smith (1996-1997), Craig Mahon (1999-2002) and Ryan Donally (2004-2005). Mark and Jane Renaud, parents of Mickey Renaud also joined the team for the luncheon on behalf of Mickey (2007-2008) with Rick and Jolayne Young, parents of Harry Young (2008-2010) also attending the luncheon on his behalf.
The Spitfire Wall Captains includes the only four Spitfires to have their numbers retired in club history with #9 Adam Graves, #15 Ernie Godden, #18 Mickey Renaud and #23 Scott Miller listed on the wall. Spitfire great #6 Joel Quenneville is also listed, with his number having been honoured by the team.
Scott Miller, captain of the Spitfires in team’s first OHL season (1975-1976) and the first Spitfire to have his number (23) retired by the team: “In becoming captain of the team, I was in the right place at the right time. I was flattered and surprised to be named as the captain of the Windsor Spitfires and my head coach Wayne Maxner was instrumental in making this happen. I was also privileged to play with Mark Renaud and Joel Quenneville in this season, which was special. I still have people come by my store in Essex and mention that they’ve seen my picture up in the rafters, it’s been an honour being both a captain and having my number retired here.
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| Warren Rychel, D.J. Smith, Bill Bowler, Ernie Godden, Scott Miller, Ryan Donally, Craig Mahon, Mark Renaud, Jane Renaud, Rick Young, Jolayne Young, Peter Dobrich. Photo by Tim Cornett / windsorspitfires.com |
As part of the luncheon, the Windsor Spitfires also unveiled their newly created Spitfire Wall of Captains, complete with six plaques from specific Spitfire eras which list the names of each captain starting from the 1946-1947 season to the current 2010-2011 campaign. 46 captains are listed in total on the six plaques with 16 pictures from this group also being included on the Wall, commemorating some of the team’s finest leaders to have ever worn the “C” with the Spitfires.
The Spitfire Wall Captains includes the only four Spitfires to have their numbers retired in club history with #9 Adam Graves, #15 Ernie Godden, #18 Mickey Renaud and #23 Scott Miller listed on the wall. Spitfire great #6 Joel Quenneville is also listed, with his number having been honoured by the team.
Windsor Spitfires Vice-President and General Manager Warren Rychel served as the keynote speaker for the luncheon. He offered his thoughts on today’s event, “it’s an honour for the Spitfire organization to welcome back so many of the team’s leaders in past seasons. We have a rich history of developing character people on our team and our captains have led this charge. Today’s unveiling of the Spitfires Wall of Captains recognizes and celebrates the contributions that each and every single captain has made to the Windsor Spitfires. I’m so very pleased to have our newly created wall serve as a constant reminder of who our captains were and what they meant to the team.”
The Windsor Spitfires also had the privilege of speaking with Scott Miller, Ernie Godden and Craig Mahon following the luncheon and unveiling. Here’s what they had to say.
Scott Miller, captain of the Spitfires in team’s first OHL season (1975-1976) and the first Spitfire to have his number (23) retired by the team: “In becoming captain of the team, I was in the right place at the right time. I was flattered and surprised to be named as the captain of the Windsor Spitfires and my head coach Wayne Maxner was instrumental in making this happen. I was also privileged to play with Mark Renaud and Joel Quenneville in this season, which was special. I still have people come by my store in Essex and mention that they’ve seen my picture up in the rafters, it’s been an honour being both a captain and having my number retired here.
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| Bill Bowler and Ernie Godden Photo by Tim Cornett / windsorspitfires.com |
Ernie Godden, captain of the Spitfires in the 1980-1981 season during which he set the still current OHL single-season record for goals (87). He was also second Spitfire to have his number (15) retired by the team: Anytime you can play for the Spitfires and be named the captain, it’s truly an honour. My head coach, Ron Harris appointed me as captain of the team and gave me an opportunity to devlop my game offensively and I really broke out in the 1980-1981 season. I scored many goals before joining the Spits in minor hockey and Harris allowed me to use my talents at the OHL level, the experience of being captain with the Spitfires was also helpful to my development.
Craig Mahon, captain of the Spitfires from 1999-2002, he was one of only two players along with Paul Maurice in Spitfires history to serve as captain for three seasons: “Today’s event was a classy move by the organization, everything was done right and I’m proud to be a Spitfire for life. It was part of my job to help lead the team and being a three-year captain of the Windsor Spitfires was an honour and privilege. I’m proud to now be part of the Spitfire Wall of Captains.”
The Windsor Spitfires would like to thank Bob Murray, Bob Duff, Bob Boughner Sr., Valerie Boughner and Felicia Krautner for their contributions in helping make this project possible.
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