By Chris Lucas
In Play Magazine
Windsor blew a three goal lead but they were still able to pull out a win as the beat the Erie Otters 7-6 and make the series 3-0 for the Spits.
The Spits started off the game with a five-on-three power play where Justin Shugg and Taylor Hall scored on both penalties to give Windsor a 2-0 lead. Then Windsor was given another power play and Mark Cundari back handed one top shelf.
Unlike the first period, the second was more Erie lopsided. Starting off with an amazing goal from Greg McKegg as he dangled through two defenders and roofed the puck over Philipp Grubauer. Then back to back goals from Derek Holden and Brett Cook would tie this game up. But Kenny Ryan ended all momentum as he banged home a rebound. Immediately after, Mike Cazzola scored by putting in his own rebound. Minutes later, the Spits would once again take the lead as Zack Kassian roofed home a rebound.
Hall scored his second of the game in the third that would put the Spits ahead by two. Shawn Szydlowski scored on a weak shot from the blue line and Cazzola just put one by Grubauer. But seconds later, Stephen Johnston threw the puck on the net and it got by Ramis Sadikov and that would be enough to give Windsor the win.
Tonight's In Play! Magazine player of the game goes to Kenny Ryan as he scored a big goal stopping Erie's momentum and boosting Windsor. He also caused a lot of controversy in front of Erie's net.
Ryan tells In Play! of his goal, “I just drove to the net, stopped there and luckily got a stick on the puck and put it in.”
On Thursday, Windsor will have the opportunity to sweep Erie. The game will start at 7 p.m.
Spitfires’ Game Notes – 2010 OHL Playoff Game Three, Round One
Courtesy Windsor Spitfires
- With tonight’s win, Windsor takes a 3-0 series lead over Erie in the best of seven game Western Conference Quarterfinal. Windsor outshot Erie 58-19 in the victory and can clinch a series win if they defeat the Otters in Erie on Thursday.
- Defenceman Mark Cundari scored one goal and registered two assists, he was selected as the Penalty Box First Star of the Game. Cundari is ranked third amongst OHL defencemen with five points in three playoff games.
- Forward Zack Kassian scored one goal and added one assist, he was named the Penalty Box Third Star of the Game. Kassian has two goals and one assist in three playoff games.
- Windsor scored their first power play goals of the series, scoring four power play markers on five opportunities. The team’s power play is now ranked second overall in the OHL, operating at a 30.8% clip during the playoffs.
- Taylor Hall scored two goals and added one assist tonight. He has enjoyed multi-point performances in each of the three Spitfire playoff wins and Hall is currently tied for the OHL playoff scoring lead with four goals and four assists for eight points in three playoff games. His four goals in the series and +5 plus-minus rating also have him tied for second in the OHL plus-minus and goal scoring departments during the playoffs. He is also tied for sixth in the OHL in assists with teammate Ryan Ellis and Eric Wellwood, registering four assists in three playoff games.
- Forward Stephen Johnston scored the game winning goal for Windsor with less than three minutes left in the third period and also registered one assist in the game.
- Forwards Kenny Ryan and Justin Shugg also scored one goal each in the contest.
- Goaltender Philipp Grubauer wins his third consecutive playoff start with Windsor.
- Greg Nemisz and Saverio Posa missed the game due to injury.
Spitfires’ Upcoming Schedule
2010 Windsor Spitfires “CODE RED” Playoff Run – Round One
#1 Windsor vs. #8 Erie – OHL Western Conference Quarterfinal Series (Round One), 2010 OHL Playoffs
Game 1 Thursday, March 18th – Erie at Windsor, 7:05 pm (Windsor wins 6-2)
Game 2 Sunday, March 21st – Windsor at Erie, 4:30 pm (Windsor wins 3-1)
Game 3 Tuesday, March 23rd – Erie at Windsor, 7:05 pm (Windsor wins 7-6)
Game 4 Thursday, March 25th – Windsor at Erie, 7:00 pm
Game 5 Saturday, March 27th – Erie at Windsor, 7:05 pm *
Game 6 Monday, March 29th – Windsor at Erie, 7:00 pm *
Game 7 Tuesday, March 30th – Erie at Windsor, 7:05 pm *
* If necessary
