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by John-Eric Iannicello
windsorspitfires.com
Bryce O’Hagan turned aside 32 shots as the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds hammered the Windsor Spitfires 5-1 on Thursday night at the WFCU Centre.
Justin Thomas scored twice and added an assist for the Greyhounds, while Kenny Ryan scored the lone goal for the Spitfires.
Ryan opened the scoring at 15:21 as he whacked away at a loose puck that squeaked through O’Hagan. The Spitfires took that lead to the first intermission, with the shots heavily in their favour 15-9.
The second period brought new life out the Greyhounds. The visitors took total control of the game, scoring three unanswered goals and outshooting the Spitfires 17-9.
Nick Cousins was credited with the tying goal after a shot from Egor Omelyaneko deflected off his leg and past goaltender Jack Campbell. Shortly after, the Greyhounds would take a 2-1 lead when a weird bounce off the end boards was batted into the net by winger Justin Thomas.
Campbell would keep the Spitfires in the game, making several big saves, including a 2-on-0 breakaway. But it wouldn’t be enough.
Ryan Ellis turned the puck over on a shorthanded rush with Kyle Tarini at the Greyhounds blue line. That allowed Vern Cooper to spring forward Brett Thompson on a partial short-handed breakaway. Thompson’s quick deke beat Campbell and gave the Greyhounds breathing room with a 3-1 lead heading into the third period.
The Greyhounds kept didn't let up in the third, peppering the Spitfires, who began to slowly collapse defensively.
Carson Dubchak finished off a nice 2-on-1 pass courtesy of Daniel Catenacci to give the Greyhounds a comfortable three-goal lead. Justin Thomas rounded out the scoring, tapping home his second of the night into an empty net at 17:52 of the third period.
NOTES
Jack Campbell was busy in the final two periods, facing 29 shots. The Spits went 0-for-5 on the man advantage, including a 5-on-3 opportunity in the third period ... the Soo went 1-for-2. Stephen Johnston was given an instigator penalty after rushing and fighting Myles McCauley late in the third. Both Zack Kassian (Buffalo Sabres) and Cam Fowler (Anaheim Ducks) remain at their respective NHL camps.
Three Stars:
1. SSM - 33 Bryce O'Hagan
2. WSR - 26 Kenny Ryan
3. SSM - 28 Justin Thomas
