By Chris Lucas
In Play Magazine
This match-up between Windsor and the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds didn't have the same outcome as last time they played as Windsor defeated the Greyhounds 4-0.
The first period told the whole story of the game as Windsor came out flying. First Justin Shugg's shot trickled through Robin Lehner's legs on the power play. Then Taylor Hall's shot did the exact same thing as they took a 2-0 lead. The first period was summed up like this, Windsor won in shots, scoring, time on attack and even won in the fighting category.
No action in the second led to another Spitfire period in the third. Cam Fowler scored on a blasting slap shot from the point. Then Fowler scored his second as he deflected Hall's pass to take a commanding lead.
Today's game was once again dirty. But this isn't something unusual because every time these teams face one another it's always a rough game. Today also hosted the return of Zack Kassian. He helped Windsor in this one because he brings the intimidation factor to their side.
Today's In Play! Magazine player of the game was Fowler. He scored two goals and added an assist. He was the type of player that was doing everything right while he was on the ice today.
Windsor will play the rival Whalers on Thursday as they enter the last week of their regular season. It will be at the WFCU Centre and game time will start at 7 p.m.
Spitfires’ Game Notes
Courtesy Windsor Spitfires
- With today’s win, Windsor, ranked 3rd in the CHL, leads the Western Conference and have 103 points this season, eclipsing the 1987-1988 Compuware Spitfire team for the second best point total achieved by a Spits team in franchise history. The 1987-1988 Compuware team posted a 102 point season.
- Windsor won the season series five games to one over Sault Ste. Marie
- Defenceman Cam Fowler scored two goals and three points in today’s game and was selected as the Penalty Box’s first star of the game. Fowler is ranked eighth amongst all OHL defencemen in scoring with 52 points in 53 games and is ranked tenth in the league with a +36 plus-minus rating.
- Forward Taylor Hall scored one goal and added two assists in today’s game as he was selected as the Penalty Box’s second star of the game. Hall has 103 points in 56 games and is second overall in the OHL’s scoring race. Hall leads all OHL players in assists with 64, is tied for second in the OHL with four shorthanded goals, is third in the league with a +45 plus-minus rating and is seventh in goals with 39. He has points in 26 of his past 27 games.
- Forward Justin Shugg scored the game winning goal in today’s contest and registered one assist. Shugg is third in the OHL with 10 game winning goals, is tied for ninth in the OHL with teammate Adam Henrique with 37 goals and is tied for 19th in the league with 74 points in 64 games. He has 18 goals in his past 21 games.
- Defenceman Mark Cundari recorded his 100th career assist today and was selected as the Penalty Box’s third star of the game. Cundari is ranked second overall in the OHL with a +46 plus-minus rating and is tied for sixth amongst OHL defencemen with 53 points in 61 games.
- Goaltender Philipp Grubauer stopped all 20 shots that he faced tonight and recorded his second shutout in three starts and of the season. Grubauer is tied for sixth in the OHL with a .914 save percentage and is eighth OHL with a 2.77 goals against average. He is 13-1-0-1 since joining the Spitfires and has a 2.08 goals against average and .916 save percentage with Windsor.
- Windsor’s Zack Kassian played in his first game today since serving a 20 game suspension. Greg Nemisz, Saverio Posa and James Woodcroft missed today’s game due to injuries.
- Windsor won its 11th straight home game today and have the OHL’s second best home record this season at 28-3
- Windsor scored three goals on eight power play opportunities today and has the league’s second best power play, operating at a 25.6% clip
- Windsor killed all six of its penalties today and is ranked third in the OHL with an 84.8% penalty killing efficiency
