By Chris Lucas
In Play! Magazine
Live from WFCU Centre
The Windsor Spitfires continue their hot streak as they beat their Conference rival London Knights 5-2.
Two seconds into the game, newly acquired Spitfire, Paul Bezzo dropped the gloves against London’s Steven Tarasuk, which got the fans immediately into the game. Just two minutes later Greg Nemisz found the back of the net to open up the scoring for Windsor. The Spitfires’ Mitch Dunning and Richard Panik both got nabbed on roughing calls which sent London to the power play when Taylor Hall intercepted the puck which sent him on a break away where he scored the Spits second goal. Three minutes later, the Spitfires kept the momentum going as Hall and Cam Fowler assisted on Adam Henrique's goal which would send the Spits to the dressing room with a 3-0 lead.
In the second period London’s Zac Rinaldo scored to put the Knights on the board. There was a lot of rough play from both teams throughout the period. Adam Henrique put his second of the game in the net with under a minute remaining in the period and the Spitfires went into the third with a 4-1 lead.
It was a big hitting and scoreless third period until near the end when Daniel Erlich of London scored to put the Knights within two. London pulled their goalie and Hall scored an almost controversial empty netter to finish off the Knights. The Spitfires out shot the Knights 32-15.
The reason for the controversy, Hall was tripped on an empty net break away, plus the flailing London player threw his stick in an attempt to derail the puck. Hall was able get through the gauntlet and score but it would have been an automatic goal regardless, due the multiple infractions.
More amazing than beating London, was the fact that Windsor held the Knights to only 15 shots. That is huge as it gives Passingham an easier time in net and increases their odds of winning tremendously. Shots for and against is a big part of the game and tonight the Spits held them to very little.
In Play! spoke with Spits Head Coach Bob Boughner after the game and he says, “Keeping them low in shots is more impressive than scoring.”
Taylor Hall is tonight’s player of the game as he scored a short-handed goal to boost Windsor’s momentum in the first period. Hall also contributed with another goal and two assist in tonight’s win which helped him achieve his 200th Ontario Hockey League Point.
The Spitfires look to continue their winning streak as they travel to Owen Sound to play the Attack.
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