By Chris Lucas
In Play Magazine
The Windsor Spitfires are currently undefeated in the playoffs and look to continue their playoff run as they now face up against the Kitchener Rangers for the Western Conference finals.
The Spits have an 8-0 record this year in the playoffs sweeping their first two opponents. This Thursday they will match-up against the Kitchener Rangers for game one of the series. Last year, Windsor knew how exciting it was to be this far into the playoffs as they ended up winning the Memorial Cup.
Head Coach of the Windsor Spitfires Bob Boughner explains to In Play! his last year experience.
“To reach that far into the playoffs was great and exciting for us and the fans and this year it should be another great series.”
Windsor and Kitchener had a 2-2 record against each other in this years regular season. However Windsor outscored them 17-14 in the four games. But Windsor had some missing players for some of the games due to the World Juniors and injury or suspension and were missing some key players in their line-up.
Head Coach of the Kitchener Rangers Steve Spott explains to In Play! how they have matched up this year.
“We had success in their building but they didn't have their best lines dressed because of the World Juniors. We know they have their best now and it should make for a good series.
A big part to Windsors winning in the playoffs has been their defense. So far, the Spits have allowed 16 goals in eight games, and a big chunk of that came from a 7-6 win over Erie in game three of the first series. Last series, they faced Plymouth and shut down Tyler Seguin, who is currently ranked to go first overall by the Central Scouting Bureau, and held him to zero points in all four games.
Harry Young, Captain of the Spitfires, tells In Play! how good their defense is playing.
“Our defense and special teams were huge so far. We're really going to work on our special teams for this series.”
Taylor Hall, Spitfires winger, has also been a big contribution to the Spitfires winning. He has 16 points in just eight games and is sixth overall in the playoffs. However Kitchener has the third, Jeff Skinner, and fourth, Chris MacKinnon, point leaders in the playoffs. Both Skinner and MacKinnon have 20 points in 13 games played.
Rangers captain Dan Kelly explains to In Play! the difference between Hall and Nazem Kadry of the London Knights, who they just eliminated and is currently ranked first in playoff points with 27 in 12 games.
“Kadry's very good with his stick but Taylors more quick. We're going to have to work on our gaps with him.”
There will be three games played this weekend. Two in Windsor, Thursday and Sunday, and one in Kitchener on Saturday. This Thursday's game starts at 7 p.m. Feel free to come watch and cheer for the Spitfires on their quest to be back to back Memorial Cup champions.
