Ellis, Campbell Shine as Spits Top Generals

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SPITS 5, GENERALS 2



Vice President and General Manager Warren Rychel presents Ryan Ellis
 the award with Ryan's parents. Photo By Joe Lemire / In Play! Magazine

Ryan Ellis didn't disappoint the hometown crowd that honoured him Friday night, setting up three goals, as the Windsor Spitfires beat the Oshawa Generals at the WFCU Centre.
Zack Kassian scored twice, his 11th and 12th of the season, and Jack Campbell was outstanding, making 41 saves in goal, as the Spits tied a season high with their third straight win.

Following a pre-game celebration honouring Ellis becoming the franchise's all-time leader in points by a defenceman, the Spitfires (14-9-0-1) got down to business quickly.

Derek Lanoue bounced a puck in off Oshawa defenceman Colin Suellentrop, to open the scoring at the 3:34 mark of the first period.

Alexander Khokhlachev made it 2-0, just six minutes later, beating Generals goalie Kevin Bailie off a scramble.

Lanoue was at it again early in the second period. The reliable checking forward picked up a puck at his own blue line, grinded his way down the right wing, shedding Oshawa checkers before feeding Zack MacQueen in front to make it 3-0.

But Campbell was the big story of the second period, making 21 saves, including a world class glove save off Nick Jensen's point-blank chance.

Zack Kassian added a pair of insurance markers late in the middle frame, chasing Bailie, who didn't receive much support on the night.

Tony DeHart and Lucas Lessio scored in a losing cause for Oshawa (13-6-2-2).

NOTES
*GM Warren Rychel presented Ellis and his parents with a commemorative plaque in honour of his 230th career point.
*Since setting the record back on November 10th, Ellis has 13 points in just five games.
*Tom Kuhnhackl's streak of six straight games with at least one goal ended tonight.
*The team's streak of at least one power play goal also ended at nine games.
*Oshawa was tied with Mississauga for fewest road losses (2) in the league prior to tonight's game.

SCORING
FIRST PERIOD
WSR Lanoue, (2) (Ellis), 3:34
WSR Khokhlachev, (12) (Ellis, Kuhnhackl), 9:57

SECOND PERIOD
WSR MacQueen, (7) (Lanoue), 2:50
OSH DeHart, (2) (Jenner, Berger), 11:02
WSR Kassian, (10) (Locke, Ellis), 15:26
WSR Kassian, (11) (Duininck, Johnston), 17:52

THIRD PERIOD
OSH Lessio, (9) (Jensen), 8:12

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