by John-Eric Iannicello
windsorspitfires.com
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| Photo Credit: Tim Cornett |
Zack Kassian had another huge game, scoring a goal and adding three assists, as the Windsor Spitfires beat the Sarnia Sting 5-3 in Thanksgiving Monday matinee.
Going with new line combinations, the Spitfires were able to jump on the Sting early in the first period with sustained pressure.
That attack was led by a line of Zack Kassian, Eric Locke and Zack MacQueen. The trio mustered the first goal of the game after Locke banked the puck in off Sting goaltender John Cullen just over three minutes in.
Late in the first, the Spitfires were able to pad their lead when a Ryan Ellis shot redirected off Sting defenceman Nathan Chiarlitti and past Cullen.
The Sting would cut the lead in half with only six seconds left in the period. Alex Galechenyuk grabbed a loose puck off a faceoff in the Windsor zone and patiently beat a sprawling Troy Passingham.
Needing a good start to the second period, the Spitfires capitalized on an early power play opportunity. Zack MacQueen corraled a rebound in front of Cullen and rifled it home at 2:13, to increase the lead 3-1.
Nick Latta later made the Spits pay for their inability to clear their zone, scoring at 15:19 of the second to pull the Sting within one.
But the Spitfires escaped the period with their 3-2 lead intact.
In a tight third period, the Sting pulled even when a Joe Rogalski shot deflected off a pair of skates and through Passingham.
But the home side quickly reclaimed the lead.
Tom Kuhnhackl restored the Spitfires lead on the very next shift, when his rocket shot from the top of the circle beat Cullen upstairs at 9:31.
Kassian added the insurance marker at 11:56 after he jumped on a Sting turnover at the blue line.
The Sting pushed hard in the last ten minutes of the game, but the Spitfires fought hard defensively, holding on for the 5-3 win.
NOTES
Troy Passingham made 30 saves. Cullen kept Sarnia in the game facing 40 shots. Zack Kassian’s four point afternoon gives him 11 points in four games. The Spitfires were 1-for-5 on the power play. Sarnia went 0-for-6 with the man advantage. It was arguably the best full-game effort the Spitfires have put forth all season. Locke’s goal was his first of the season, and first in the OHL. Andrew Clouthier continues to serve his five game suspension. He’s eligible to return on October 16th. Other Spitfire scratches include Grant Webermin, Brendan McCann, Josh Malecki and Cam Fowler, who is still with the Anaheim Ducks. Attendance at tonight’s game was 5,752.
THREE STARS
1. WSR – 19 Zack Kassian
2. SAR – 94 Alex Galchenyuk
3. WSR – 55 Eric Locke
