In Play on Facebook
by John-Eric Iannicello
windsorspitfires.com
Eric Locke scored on a last second rush in the third period to give the Windsor Spitfires their first road win of the season Friday night in Erie.
Tom Kuhnhackl and Zack Kassian had the other goals for the Spits, in a huge 3-2 victory.
But the night didn't start out so well.
After Stephen Johnston was penalized for slashing, Erie's power play opened the scoring at 7:46 of the first period. Tyler Hostetter’s point shot was tipped in by Mike Cazzola, who was somehow left all alone in front of the Spitfires net.
The Spitfires (8-6-0-1) had three power play opportunities of their own in the period, but Ramis Sadikov stopped all 10 shots he faced, as the Otters took their one-goal lead to the intermission.
The Spits got a badly-needed break that evened the score early in the second. A Tom Kuhnhackl shot deflected off Hostetter and past Sadikov, to tie the game 1-1 at the 1:14 mark.
The goal sparked the visitors, as the Spitfires had several chances to take the lead. But it was the Otters that struck next.
After Brett Appio’s shot was blocked by Michael MacIntyre, the Erie winger corralled his own rebound and surprised Jack Campbell with a quick shot to the gloveside at 9:02.
But just more than a minute later, Zack Kassian pulled the Spits even again, tapping a Ryan Ellis rebound past Sadikov, to tie the game at 2-2.
The teams played a tight third period. But with the game looking bound for overtime, Locke took a pass from Kenny Ryan and fired a shot past Sadikov from the right circle, giving the Spitfires a dramatic win with his fifth goal of the season, at the 19:52 mark.
NOTES
The Spitfires were 0-for-5 on the power play. The Otters were 1-for-6 ... Eric Locke's second period assist extended his point streak to seven games. Derek Lanoue and Nick Czinder were back in the lineup Friday, as Grant Webermin and Michael Whaley sat. Troy Passingham and Cam Fowler. who is still with the Anaheim Ducks, were the other scratches.
THREE STARS
1. ER – 8 Brett Appio
2. ER – 27 Adam Pelech
3. WSR – 55 Eric Locke
