Jack Campbell – The Tecumseh and South Walkerville Vision Centres Windsor Spitfires Player of the Week

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windsorspitfires.com staff reports

If playoff success is truly built from the net out, the Windsor Spitfires may be on the verge of something big again this spring.

The club continues to get outstanding play from goalie Jack Campbell, who for the second time in three weeks is our Tecumseh and South Walkerville Vision Centres Windsor Spitfires Player of the Week - this time for period ending Sunday, March 27th.

In two games last week, Jack posted a 1.99 Goals Against Average and a .938 save percentage.

He made 35 saves in Game One of the Western Conference quarter-final series with Erie on Thursday, in a 2-1 loss at the WFCU Centre. Two nights later, Campbell made 40 saves while backstopping the Spits to a huge 4-3, double overtime win in Erie that squared the series at a game apiece.

Campbell currently ranks third statistically among all OHL goaltenders in the playoffs with a 2.00 GAA and .938 save percentage overall, as the Spitfires hold a 2-1 series lead heading into Game Four tonight in Erie. 

The entire staff at Tecumseh and South Walkerville Vision Centres congratulates Jack Campbell on his continued outstanding play, and wishes the team the best of luck as it continues its drive for three straight Memorial Cup titles. Go Spits Go!

The Windsor Spitfires have great seats available for game five of their first round OHL playoff series against Erie, to be hosted at the WFCU Centre on Friday, April 1^st.  Game time is set for 7:05 pm. 

2010-2011 Windsor Spitfires’ Players of the Week

Jack Campbell – Mar. 21 – Mar. 27, 2011

Ryan Ellis – Mar. 14 – Mar. 20, 2011

Jack Campbell – Mar. 7 – Mar. 13, 2011

Craig Duininck – Feb. 28 – Mar. 6, 2011

Ryan Ellis – Feb. 21 – Feb. 27, 2011

Jeff Brown – Feb. 14 – Feb. 20, 2011

Taylor Carnevale – Feb. 7 – Feb. 13, 2011

Tom Kuhnhackl – Jan. 31 – Feb. 6, 2011

Alexander Khokhlachev – Jan. 24 – Jan. 30, 2011

Ryan Ellis – Jan. 17 – Jan. 23, 2011

Jake Carrick – Jan. 10 – Jan. 16, 2011

Kenny Ryan – Jan. 3 – Jan. 9, 2011

Saverio Posa – Dec. 27, 2010 – Jan. 2, 2011

Craig Duininck – Dec. 13 – Dec. 19, 2010

*Nick Ebert – Dec. 6 – Dec. 12, 2010

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

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Spits Offense Sharp in 7-4 Win

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Just hours after being cleared to play, Tom Kuhnhackl led a 42-shot, 7-goal Windsor attack; as the Spits took a 3-1 series lead with a convincing win over the Otters in Erie earlier tonight.

Helped off the ice in the early stages of Monday's Game Three, Kuhnhackl took the skate on Wednesday morning, and was given the green light to play after he felt no-ill effects. And from the opening draw, he and linemate Alexander Khokhlachev were dynamic. 

The pair scored the game's opening goals, both speeding through Erie defenders in the opening four minutes, as the Spitfires took a 2-0 lead, chasing goalie Ramis Sadikov for a second consecutive game.

Kuhnhackl and KoKo had four goals and seven points combined in all. 

Stephen Johnston (3), Jake Carrick (3) and Zack Kassian (1) had the other Windsor goals. 

Despite a couple of bad bounces in the first period, Jack Campbell was again outstanding over the final 40 minutes.

Greg McKegg cut the Windsor lead to 4-3, less than five minutes into the third period. But the Spits would add a pair of goals before the period was out, restoring a three-goal lead they wouldn't give up.

David Shields, Tyler Hostetter and Mike Cazzola had the others for the Otters, who will face elimination on Friday night at the WFCU Centre. 

SCORING
FIRST PERIOD
WSR Kuhnhackl, (1) (Duininck), 1:27 
WSR Khokhlachev, (1) (Robertson, Kuhnhackl), 3:52 
ER Hostetter, (1) (Festarini), 8:27 
WSR Johnston, (3) (Kassian, Duininck), 12:54 (PP) 
ER Shields, (1) (Luciani), 15:45

SECOND PERIOD
WSR Kassian, (1) (Ryan, Johnston), 0:47 
ER McKegg, (2) (Szydlowski, Shields), 4:56 
WSR Kuhnhackl, (2) (Carrick, Khokhlachev), 8:33 (PP) 
WSR Carrick, (3) (Kuhnhackl), 13:34 

THIRD PERIOD
ER Cazzola (3) (Szydlowski, Varone 5:01 (PP)
WSR Khokhlachev (2) (Carrick, Robertson) 6:50

SHOTS

WINDSOR 6-14-22=42

ERIE 9-7-7=23

POWER PLAYS
WINDSOR 2-FOR-6
ERIE 1-FOR-6

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Campbell Confident Between the Pipes in Round 1

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By David Clark

Since Game 1, Jack Campbell has shown us 3 games worth of spectacular saves. On Saturday,

Game 2 at Tullio Arena, Jack held us in there for two overtime periods to squeak out a win.  This is to be expected coming from a player who backstopped for the U.S. World Juniors twice, winning gold in 2009/2010 and then a bronze in this year’s tournament. Campbell is a first round selection of the Dallas Stars, 12^th overall in 2010. Just recently, he signed a 3 year entry level contract with them.

Coach Bob Jones remarked about Game three, “It was a strong game from Jack.” On the other side, Sadikov surrendered six goals in the game, opening the door with 3 in the 3^rd in a matter of 62 seconds. A far cry from the outstanding performance he exhibited in each of the previous games.

“The guys came out in the third period to win,” says Campbell. “We wanted to go out there to take it to them!” “It’s great to get recognition but I came to help the team win.” Campbell managed to impress in Game 3 by offering a GAA @ 2.00 and a S% @ .938. He came up with 30 saves.

The 3 quick goals in the third and Campbell’s exceptional play have a way of instilling confidence in the team from Campbell to Kassian. According to Campbell, “the win gives us a lot of momentum going into Game 4.”

Jack Campbell seems to stand up during the playoffs. He thrives in big games. “Both goalies are focused,” exclaims Jones “Your best players need to be the best players in big games. Campbell answered the call in every game so far.

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Spitfires Win with Jack and Three of a Kind

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windsorspitfires.com staff reports

Fresh off a big overtime win in Erie on Saturday night, the Spits were looking to start fast and play a full 60 minutes in Game 3 at the WFCU Centre.

Turns out they did both tonight.

Leading 3-2 after 40 minutes, the Spitfires scored three times in a 1:02 span of the third period, on their way to a convincing 6-2 win over the Erie Otters. The victory gives the Spits a 2-1 lead in the best-of-7 Western Conference quarter-final series.

Jeff Brown, Brady Vail and Kenny Ryan put the game out of reach, chasing Erie starter Ramis Sadikov.
Ryan Ellis, Stephen Johnston and Jake Carrick had the other Windsor goals, while Jack Campbell was outstanding once again - looking confident all night long and making 30 saves for the win.
Mike Cazzola and Shawn Szydlowski scored for Erie.

Game Four goes Wednesday night in Erie. 

SCORING
FIRST PERIOD
WSR Johnston, (2) (Kassian, Robertson), 15:18 (PP)
ER Cazzola, (2) (Yogan, Pelech), 15:44
WSR Carrick, (2) (Ellis, Kassian), 18:20 (PP)

SECOND PERIOD
ER Szydlowski, (2) (Cook, Hostetter), 15:06 (PP)
WSR Ellis (2), 17:12

THIRD PERIOD
WSR Brown, (3) (Rychel), 1:14
WSR Vail, (1) (Rychel), 1:46
WSR Ryan, (1), 2:16

SHOTS
WINDSOR: 18 - 11 - 9 = 38
ERIE: 10 - 7 - 15 = 32

POWER PLAYS
WINDSOR: 2-FOR-8
ERIE: 1-FOR-8

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SPITFIRES COME OUT ON TOP AFTER NAIL BITER

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Brown Locks it down, Spits Win in Double OT

windsorspitfires.com staff reports – Erie, PA

As he roamed the hallways of the Tullio Arena a couple hours before the biggest game of the year, Jeff Brown wore his patented smile.

"Let's get this done," he chirped at a few passing teammates.

Two nights earlier, the veteran winger played in his first-ever OHL playoff game, at the ripe old age of 20. On Saturday night, he scored the goal of his life. Brown's second of the game ended a marathon battle at 11:09 of the second overtime period, giving the Windsor Spitfires a huge, 4-3 win over Erie on Saturday night.

The victory pulled the Spits even at a game apiece in their opening round series with the Otters.

"It's a dream come true," Brown told windsorspitfires.com, outside a jubilant Spitfires room.

Ryan Ellis and Jake Carrick had the other Windsor goals and Jack Campbell was outstanding once again, stopping 40 shots for his first playoff win as a Spitfire.

Brown's first goal of the night gave the Spitfires the lead nearly five minutes into the second period. It stood up until Shawn Szydlowski grabbed a Mike Cazzola faceoff win and slipped it under Campbell to even things at 3-3, at the 6:23 mark of the third.

Both teams had multiple chances to end the game in the first overtime session, which included two power play chances on each side.

With both teams looking exhausted, the line of Brown, Taylor Carnevale and Kerby Rychel took charge after a couple strong shifts in the second OT. Brown grabbed a blocked shot that had Erie goalie Ramis Sadikov moving the wrong way, and got it off his stick quickly, sending 4,818 fans home entertained, but disappointed.

"At that point, no one is really fresh," Brown said. "But, ya, I thought we still had some good jump at that point."

Game 3 of this series goes Monday night at the WFCU Centre.

SCORING
FIRST PERIOD
ER - Cazzola, (1) (Szydlowski, Varone), 10:29 (PP)
WSR Carrick, (1) (Khokhlachev), 16:17
ER McKegg, (1) (Cazzola, Yogan), 17:36
WSR Ellis, (1) , (Johnston) 18:52

SECOND PERIOD
WSR Brown, (1) (Ellis, Campbell), 4:57

THIRD PERIOD
ER Szydlowski, (1) (Cazzola), 6:23

OVERTIME
NO SCORING

DOUBLE OVERTIME
WSR Brown, (2) (Carnevale), 11:09

SHOTS
WINDSOR: 9-11-10-11-8 = 49
ERIE: 10-6-9-14-4 = 43

POWER PLAYS
WINDSOR: 0-FOR-6
ERIE: 1-FOR-10

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Sanderson Loss Opens Dialogue

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By David Clark

Changes in Ontario Hockey League procedure have left us wondering whether fighting should be eliminated from the junior game. The arguments regarding this issue are passionate, producing intense debate in and out of hockey circles.

A long-standing tradition in organized hockey, fighting has been a staple of the fan’s diet forever it seems. Both sides have valid points to make about fighting but the answer to it all is still a mystery.

With the Senior AAA Whitby Dunlops, a couple of years ago we were introduced to Don Sanderson who had died by falling backwards when his head hit the ice during a fight. The accident woke up public opinion in a big way by reopening an old debate.

Shortly after the issue became newsworthy, the OHL changed its policy on fighting and added a new rule to the book where during a fight, when a helmet comes off, that fight must be stopped by the referees. The league’s logic is that the lack of protection around the head (without a helmet) could result in injury or death, and it did.  

On CBC’s Fifth Estate, Don’s father Mike Sanderson commented that his son didn’t like the fighting aspect of the game but felt obligated to do so for the good of his team. It could be said that Sanderson was under pressure to fight in order to fulfil his role with the team. He was relatively big and strong and was a good scrapper with average hockey skills. Was he playing the “enforcer” role with this team or simply protecting his teammates from aggressive opponents?

Proponents of fighting, including Don Cherry declare that fighting is sometimes essential in order to prevent more serious violence when things go wrong during a game. They say the momentum of a game may shift in favour of a team who dispatches an “enforcer” on to the ice to shake things up a little.

In the Ontario Hockey League, some will argue that the new rule takes some of the enjoyment out of the game and leaves the players unprepared for entering a tussle when they graduate to the NHL. It has also been said that injuries to the hand occur frequently when a player has to fight someone with a shield on. A career ending situation for some. In junior hockey, it may be necessary for teams to invent and/or supply some kind of safety apparatus to the players in order for fights to continue after the helmets come off.

A change regarding fighting in the NHL is unlikely any time soon according to Commissioner Gary Bettman but the Board of Governors will be addressing the issues relating to injuries in the sport in the near future. In the NHL, a lot of revenue is collected from the fans who pay over $50 for a ticket and want to see aggressive activities like fighting in the game. This is a “cash cow” for the National Hockey League.

As of today, it took a tragedy to get us talking about this again but this time we’ve been listening. Some say this is a personal choice but the rule makers (in junior hockey) have been changing their views regarding fighting due to the Sanderson incident.  The more stories like this that we talk about should encourage positive changes to the junior system where the young players are protected.

Regarding the fans, some are still adamant about getting entertainment for their dollar while others believe that removing fighting from the game will diminish the spirit and traditions of organized hockey everywhere.

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Erie Otters: Finding the Net in Game 1

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By David Clark

Both teams came out with some urgency but finally at 15:11 of the first, Phil Varone from a very talented Otters team tapped in a pass from Brett Thompson while cherry-picking in front of Campbell’s crease. A new acquisition, Varone arrived in Erie from a struggling London Knights team and has performed very well offensively since he became an Otter. A career high, Phil accumulated 81 points during the regular season at the Centre position with an impressive +/- at 21 to go along with his outstanding numbers.

Once again, this time in the 2^nd, Brett Thompson directed the puck to a well-positioned Anthony Luciani who was at the door of the crease and went top shelf when the puck arrived. Luciani was @ +26 during the regular season and contributed 78 points to the cause this year. Luciani is a savvy veteran on the RW and hails from Maple, Ontario. His D.O.B. is May 13, 1990. Anthony has skated with the Otters for his entire OHL career.

The goaltending on both sides was excellent last night. Sadikov really stole the show, stopping 40 of 41.  Almost everything that came at him except one was stopped by his acrobatic play but Spitfire Jack Campbell shut the door on a very offensive Erie team but surrendered two in the process. It was a 2-1 final in favour of the Erie Otters. The score should have been in favour of the Spits if they hadn’t squandered eleven power play opportunities in the game.

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Frustrating Opener For The Spits

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Windsorspitfires.com staff reports

Ramis Sadikov made 40 saves for the Otters and the Spitfires went 1-for-11 on the power play in a frustrating 2-1 loss in Game One of their Western Conference quarter-final series against Erie earlier tonight at the WFCU Centre.

Jack Campbell was outstanding in goal for Windsor, making 35 saves and Stephen Johnston scored on the power play for Windsor's only goal of the night.

Brett Thompson had assists on both Erie goals; a shorthanded marker in the first period by Phil Varone, and the eventual game winner early in the second from Anthony Luciani.

The Spitfires had the final seven power plays of the game and failed to score on six of them.

Game two of the best of seven series will be played at Tullio Arena in Erie on Saturday, March 26. 

SCORING

FIRST PERIOD

ER - VARONE (1) (THOMPSON, SHIELDS) 15:11 SH

SECOND PERIOD

ER - LUCIANI (1) (THOMPSON, VARONE) 1:20

WSR - JOHNSTON (1) (KASSIAN, ROBERTSON) 3:10 PP

THIRD PERIODNo Scoring

SHOTS

WINDSOR: 15 - 15 - 11 = 41

ERIE: 13 - 10 - 14 = 37

POWER PLAYS

WINDSOR: 1-FOR-11

ERIE: 0-FOR-3

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Kuhnhackl Signs with Penguins

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windsorspitfires.com staff reports

Tom Kuhnhackl signed a three-year, entry level contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins earlier today.

The Spitfires selected the 19-year-old native of Landshut, Germany with the 24th overall pick in the 2010 CHL Import Draft. A few weeks later, the Penguins drafted him in the 4th round, 110th overall in the 2010 NHL Selection Draft.

Kuhnhackl has exceeded expectations this season with the Spits.

His 39 goals were the most on the team in the regular season, and ranked him 13th overall in the OHL. His 15 power play goals tied him for sixth best in the league.

Kuhnhackl was one of four Windsor Spitfires to play at the 2011 World Junior Championships in Buffalo, New York - suiting up for Team Germany for the first time at the event.

Last year, he posted four goals and two assists at the World Under-18 Championships.

"The Windsor Spitfires congratulate Tom on signing with the Penguins," said Vice-President and General Manager Warren Rychel. "This is well deserved as he has enjoyed a tremendous season with our hockey club.  Tom has been a scoring threat for us on a nightly basis and has produced consistently while playing a real physical brand of hockey. We are proud of Tom’s achievements and look forward to hopefully one day seeing him in a Penguins uniform. 

"This will give him a big boost as our team heads into the playoffs."

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2011 OHL Playoffs Begin Thursday March 24

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Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the complete schedule for the first round of the 2011 OHL Playoffs which begin on Thursday March 24, 2011.

The Eastern and Western Conference Quarter-Final Series’ begin after a 680-game regular season schedule and feature the top eight teams in each conference.  The top eight Eastern Conference teams will compete for the Bobby Orr Trophy while the top eight Western Conference teams will compete for the Wayne Gretzky Trophy.  Both conference champions will meet in the OHL Championship Series for the J. Ross Robertson Trophy with the winner joining the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors at the 2011 MasterCard Memorial Cup May 20-29 at the Hershey Centre. 

Four matchups begin on Thursday including the regular season champions and Hamilton Spectator Trophy winners the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors as they host the Belleville Bulls at 7:30 pm.  In addition, the Niagara IceDogs host the Brampton Battalion at 7:00 pm, the Oshawa Generals host the Kingston Frontenacs at 7:05 pm, with the two-time defending Robertson Cup and Memorial Cup Champion Windsor Spitfires pursuing their third straight league title as they host the Erie Otters at 7:05 pm.  On Friday night March 25, the Western Conference’s regular season winners the Owen Sound Attack host the London Knights at 7:30 pm, the Saginaw Spirit host the Guelph Storm at 7:11 pm, and the Kitchener Rangers host the Plymouth Whalers at 7:30 pm.  The final playoff series gets underway on Saturday afternoon March 26 at 2:00 pm when the Ottawa 67’s host the Sudbury Wolves at Scotiabank Place. 

The four non-playoff teams will hold the first four picks in the 2011 OHL Priority Selection on Saturday May 7 with the Barrie Colts making the first overall selection followed by the Peterborough Petes, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, and the Sarnia Sting. 

The complete first round playoff schedule is listed below. 

Eastern Conference Quarter-Final Schedule:
Series “A” - Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors (1) vs. Belleville Bulls (8)

Thurs.,	March	24	at	Mississauga	7:30
Sat.,	March	26	at	Belleville	7:05
Sun.,	March	27	at	Mississauga	2:00
Tues.,	March	29	at	Belleville	7:05
Sun.,	April	3	at	Mississauga	2:00	*
Mon.,	April	4	at	Belleville	7:05	*
Tues.,	April	5	at	Mississauga	7:05	*

Series “B” - Ottawa 67’s (2) vs. Sudbury Wolves (7):

Sat.,	March	26	at	Ottawa	2:00		Scotiabank Place
Mon.,	March	28	at	Sudbury	7:30
Tues.,	March	29	at	Sudbury	7:30
Thurs.,	March	31	at	Ottawa	7:00
Sat.,	April	2	at	Ottawa	2:00	*
Mon.,	April	4	at	Sudbury	7:30	*
Tues.,	April	5	at	Ottawa	7:00	*

Series “C” –Niagara IceDogs (3) vs. Brampton Battalion (6):

Thurs.,	March	24	at	Niagara	7:00
Sun.,	March	27	at	Brampton	2:00
Tues.,	March	29	at	Niagara	7:00
Thurs.,	March	31	at	Brampton	7:00
Sat.,	April	2	at	Niagara	7:00	*
Sun.,	April	3	at	Brampton	2:00	*
Tues.,	April	5	at	Niagara	7:00	*

Series “D”– Oshawa Generals (4) vs. Kingston Frontenacs (5):

Thurs.,	March	24	at	Oshawa	7:05
Fri.,	March	25	at	Kingston	7:30
Sun.,	March	27	at	Oshawa	6:05
Tues.,	March	29	at	Kingston	7:00
Fri.,	April	1	at	Oshawa	7:35	*
Sun.,	April	3	at	Kingston	2:00	*
Tues.,	April	5	at	Oshawa	7:05	*

*if necessary
Western Conference Quarter-Final Schedule:
Series “A” - Owen Sound Attack (1) vs. London Knights (8):

Fri.,	March	25	at	Owen Sound	7:30
Sat.,	March	26	at	London	7:00
Tues.,	March	29	at	Owen Sound	7:00
Thurs.,	March	31	at	London	7:00
Sat.,	April	2	at	Owen Sound	7:30	*
Sun.,	April	3	at	London	4:00	*
Tues.,	April	5	at	Owen Sound	7:00	*

Series “B” - Saginaw Spirit (2) vs. Guelph Storm (7):

Fri.,	March	25	at	Saginaw	7:11
Sun.,	March	27	at	Guelph	2:00
Mon.,	March	28	at	Saginaw	7:11
Thurs.,	March	31	at	Guelph	7:00
Sat.,	April	2	at	Saginaw	7:11	*
Sun.,	April	3	at	Guelph	7:00	*
Tues.,	April	5	at	Saginaw	7:11	*

Series “C” - Kitchener Rangers (3) vs. Plymouth Whalers (6):

Fri.,	March	25	at	Kitchener	7:30
Sat.,	March	26	at	Plymouth	7:05
Mon.,	March	28	at	Kitchener	7:00
Wed.,	March	30	at	Plymouth	7:05
Fri.,	April	1	at	Kitchener	7:30	*
Sat.,	April	2	at	Plymouth	7:05	*
Mon.,	April	4	at	Kitchener	7:00	*

Series “D” - Windsor Spitfires (4) vs. Erie Otters (5):

Thurs.,	March	24	at	Windsor	7:05
Sat.,	March	26	at	Erie	7:00
Mon.,	March	28	at	Windsor	7:05
Wed.,	March	30	at	Erie	7:00
Fri.,	April	1	at	Windsor	7:05	*
Sun.,	April	3	at	Erie	4:30	*
Tues.,	April	5	at	Windsor	7:05	*

*if necessary

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