Spits Historic Run Comes to an End

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windsorspitfires.com staff reports

A team that many counted out at the start of the 2011 OHL Playoffs, Windsor fans have reason to be proud of the performance put forth by the Spitfires over the past month.

One of the greatest runs in junior hockey history came to an abrupt end earlier tonight as the Owen Sound Attack defeated the two-time defending MasterCard Memorial Cup and Rogers OHL Champion Spitfire squad 10-4 in Owen Sound. 

The Attack took the series four games to one and have earned the Wayne Gretzky trophy as Rogers Western Conference Champions and will move on to the Rogers OHL Championship Series against the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors.  Owen Sound also earned a berth to the 2011 MasterCard Memorial Cup in Mississauga.

Windsor opened the scoring 2:12 into the contest, with Alex Khokhlachev converting a Nick Czinder rebound to take an early lead.  Matt Petgrave tied the game for Owen Sound three minutes later on an odd man rush, beating Campbell blocker side.  The Spits again took a 2-1 lead on a Brady Vail wrist shot from the right circle at 9:38 of the opening frame before Joey Hishon tied the affair for the Attack on an exceptional individual effort.  The period ended with both teams tied at 2-2.

The second period was evenly played for the first 15 minutes before Petgrave netted two goals to record a hat-trick and provide Owen Sound a 4-2 lead, putting the Spits on the ropes with possibly 20 minutes left in their season.

Mike Halmo and Garrett Wilson gave Owen Sound a four-goal lead early in the third period.  Brady Vail gave the Spits hope just 14 seconds later, crashing the Attack net and scoring his second goal to make it a 6-3 game. 

After a few good shifts by the Spits, Andrew Shaw scored two goals, Halmo netted his second of the period and Jarred Maidens scored Owen Sound’s final goal to put the game out of reach for the Attack.  Brady Vail rounded out the scoring for the Spits on a shorthanded marker for his first career hat-trick but it was too little, too late.  Owen Sound ended the series with a 10-4 win.

SCORING
FIRST PERIOD

WSR Kuhnhackl, (12) (Czinder), 2:12

OS Petgrave, (1) (Schemitsch, Mignardi), 5:31

WSR Vail, (2) (Ellis), 9:38

OS Hishon, (4) (Wilson, Petgrave), 12:27

SECOND PERIOD

OS Petgrave, (2) (Wilson, Hishon) 14:41

OS Petgrave, (3) (Schemitsch) 19:44 (PP)

THIRD PERIOD

OS Halmo, (2) (Brace, Shaw), 4:32

OS Wilson, (9) (Fritsch, Wilson), 5:48

WSR Vail, (3) (MacQueen), 9:02

OS Shaw, (7) (Halmo), 7:11

OS Shaw, (8) (Mignardi, Halmo), 11:03 (PP)

OS Halmo, (3) (Shaw, Gilbert), 15:31 (PP)

OS Maidens, (3) (Petgrave, Schemitsch), 16:22 (PP)

WSR Vail, (4) (MacQueen), 17:06 (SH)

SHOTS

WINDSOR  13 – 14 – 11 = 38

OWEN SOUND  11 – 8 – 15 = 34

PPS

WINDSOR  0-FOR-7

OWEN SOUND  4-FOR-7

#1 Owen Sound vs. #4 Windsor – Rogers Western Conference Championship Series Schedule (Round Three)

2011 OHL Playoffs

Game 1 – Tuesday April 19 at 7:00 pm at Owen Sound (Owen Sound 8-1)

Game 2 – Thursday April 21 at 7:05 pm at Windsor (Windsor 4-2)

Game 3 – Saturday April 23 at 7:30 pm at Owen Sound (Owen Sound 6-4)

Game 4 – Monday April 25 at 7:05 pm at Windsor (Owen Sound 3-2)

Game 5 – Wednesday April 27 at 7:00 pm at Owen Sound (Owen Sound 10-4)

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Saverio Posa – The Tecumseh and South Walkerville Vision Centres Windsor Spitfires Player of the Week

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windsorspitfires.com staff reports

The Windsor Spitfires most improved player this season, rearguard Saverio Posa just keeps getting better and better…

His four assists and +4 rating in Windsor’s three games against Owen Sound in the West Finals this week earned him the Tecumseh and South Walkerville Vision Centres Windsor Spitfires Player of the Week honours for the period ending Sunday, April 24^th.

After a difficult game one for the whole Spitfire squad, Posa played solid defence on the back end and assisted on the Spitfires’ game-winning goal while posting a +2 rating in a 4-2 victory for Windsor in game two at the WFCU Centre.  This evened the series at 1-1.

Two nights later, he recorded three assists and his defensive work was again highlighted with an impressive +3 rating in Windsor’s 6-4 game three loss to the Attack in Owen Sound.

Posa has played steady two-way hockey during the 2011 OHL playoffs, registering seven assists in 17 games and a +8 rating.

The entire staff at Tecumseh and South Walkerville Vision Centres congratulates Saverio for his outstanding performances this week.  He will receive a $50 gift certificate courtesy of Tecumseh and South Walkerville Vision Centres, honouring his efforts.

Game five of the Rogers Western Conference Final series will be played Wednesday night (April 27^th) as the Spitfires travel to Owen Sound, ready to take on the Attack.  Game time is set for 7 pm at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre.

Owen Sound currently leads the series three games to one and Windsor must win to extend the series.  Fans can catch the game live on TVCOGECO or listen to the action with Mike Miller, the Voice of the Spits on AM800.

2010-2011 Windsor Spitfires’ Players of the Week

Saverio Posa – Apr. 18 – Apr. 24, 2011

Jake Carrick – Apr. 11 – Apr. 17, 2011

*Tom Kuhnhackl – Apr. 4 – Apr. 10, 2011

Adrian Robertson – Mar. 28 – Apr. 3, 2011

Jack Campbell – Mar. 21 – Mar. 27, 2011

Ryan Ellis – Mar. 14 – Mar. 20, 2011

Jack Campbell – Mar. 7 – Mar. 13, 2011

Craig Duininck – Feb. 28 – Mar. 6, 2011

Ryan Ellis – Feb. 21 – Feb. 27, 2011

Jeff Brown – Feb. 14 – Feb. 20, 2011

Taylor Carnevale – Feb. 7 – Feb. 13, 2011

Tom Kuhnhackl – Jan. 31 – Feb. 6, 2011

Alexander Khokhlachev – Jan. 24 – Jan. 30, 2011

Ryan Ellis – Jan. 17 – Jan. 23, 2011

Jake Carrick – Jan. 10 – Jan. 16, 2011

Kenny Ryan – Jan. 3 – Jan. 9, 2011

Saverio Posa – Dec. 27, 2010 – Jan. 2, 2011

Craig Duininck – Dec. 13 – Dec. 19, 2010

*Nick Ebert – Dec. 6 – Dec. 12, 2010

Troy Passingham – Nov. 29 – Dec. 5, 2010

Eric Locke – Nov. 22 – Nov. 28, 2010

Ryan Ellis – Nov. 15 – Nov. 21, 2010

Tom Kuhnhackl – Nov. 8 – Nov. 14, 2010

Tom Kuhnhackl – Nov. 1 – Nov. 7, 2010

Jack Campbell – Oct. 25 – Oct. 31, 2010

Tom Kuhnhackl – Oct. 18 – Oct. 24, 2010

Eric Locke – Oct. 11 – Oct. 17, 2010

Zack Kassian – Oct. 4 – Oct. 11, 2010

Kyle Tarini – Sep. 27 – Oct. 3, 2010

Alexander Khokhlachev – Sep. 21 – Sep. 27, 2010

* Player was selected as the OHL Player of the Week

** Player was selected as the OHL and CHL Player of the Week

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OHL ANNOUNCES DISCIPLINARY ACTION FOR KASSIAN HIT

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GAME OF SATURDAY, APRIL 23^RD, 2011 

WINDSOR AT OWEN SOUND

Tuesday, April 26^th, 2011

Toronto, ON - The Ontario Hockey League today announced the results of a review of an incident which occurred in a game played in Owen Sound on the 23^rd of April, 2011 involving the Attack and the visiting Windsor Spitfires.

The incident reviewed was a match penalty infraction assessed to player Zack Kassian of the Windsor Spitfires Hockey Club.

Based on such review, it is the position of the League that player Zack Kassian shall be suspended for a total of four (4) games.

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Spitfires’ Ryan Ellis Named OHL Defenceman of the Year

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Tuesday April 26, 2011

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that for the second time in his career Ryan Ellis of the Windsor Spitfires is the recipient of the Max Kaminsky Trophy awarded to the OHL’s Most Outstanding Defenceman of the Year.  

Ryan Ellis - 2011 OHL Defenceman of the Year
Photo by Joe Lemire / In Play! Magazine

Ellis led all defencemen in scoring and finished tied for fourth overall in the OHL with 101 points in 58 games scoring 24 goals and 77 assists.  He became the first defenceman to score 100 points in a season since Jamie Rivers of the Sudbury Wolves recorded 121 points in his award-winning 1993-94 campaign.  A three-time finalist, Ellis won the award for the first time in his sophomore 2008-09 season and becomes just the third defenceman in OHL history to win the award twice following Denis Potvin (Ottawa 1972 and 73), and Bryan Berard (Detroit 1995 and 96).

“It’s very exciting for me to win this award for the second time,” said Ellis.  “I’d like to thank all those who voted for me and to be named the OHL’s Top Defenceman with so many worthy candidates within our league is an honour and something that means a great deal to me personally.”

Ellis, a 20-year-old from Freelton, ON, set career-high numbers in goals, assists, and points competing in his fourth season with the Spitfires.  With 314 points in 226 career games, Ellis became just the third defenceman in OHL history to record 300 career points and trails only Rick Corriveau who recorded 329 points in 260 games with London and Niagara Falls from 1987-92, and Denis Potvin who recorded 330 in 257 games with the Ottawa 67’s from 1967-73 for career points by an OHL defenceman.  Ellis also ranks second all-time in Spitfires scoring behind Bill Bowler who produced 467 points in 250 career games. 

“I’m not sure where you start with Ryan, he’s been a great ambassador for the Windsor Spitfires during his time with us and he’s competed at every level and on the biggest stages, winning every championship imaginable in junior hockey,” said Spitfires’ Head Coach Bob Jones.  “He’s led and represented our team exceptionally well, and in my opinion has been the top player in both the OHL and CHL this season.  What Ryan has done for our team and accomplished in the past four seasons is truly remarkable.  The Windsor Spitfires are very proud of what he’s accomplished, and he is a very deserving winner of the OHL’s Top Defenceman award this season.”



Ellis in Western Conference Finals action.
Photo by Joe Lemire In Play! Magazine

A Nashville Predators prospect selected in the first round of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, 11^th overall, Ellis was named the OHL Defenceman of the Month three times (November, January, and February).  He was named Best Offensive Defenceman for the third straight year in the Western Conference Coaches Poll, and also finished first in voting in the Smartest Player and Hardest Shot categories.  Ellis recorded 30 multi-point games this season including a career-high six-point game with a goal and five assists as first star of a 7-1 win over the Kitchener Rangers on January 28. 

The Max Kaminsky Trophy is awarded each year to the Most Outstanding Defenceman as selected by OHL General Managers.  Teams were not permitted to vote for their own nominee.  Players received five points for a first place vote, three points for a second place vote and one point for a third place vote.

Ellis received an incredible 93 of a maximum 95 points in the voting process ahead of Ryan Murphy of the Kitchener Rangers who finished second with 47 points.  Dougie Hamilton of the Niagara IceDogs finished in third place with 15 points. 

Darryl Shannon is the only other member of the Spitfires to claim the award winning in 1987-88, with other notable winners including Al MacInnis (Kitchener 1982-83), Chris Pronger (Peterborough 1992-93), Brian Campbell (Ottawa 1998-99), James Wisniewski (Plymouth 2003-04), Marc Staal (Sudbury 2006-07), and Drew Doughty (Guelph 2007-08).  Jacob Muzzin of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds won the award last season. 

The award is named in recognition of Max Kaminsky, who enjoyed a 10-year professional playing career that included four years in the NHL with Ottawa, Boston, and Montreal.  After he retired from playing, Kaminsky enjoyed a 15-year coaching career that was capped by winning the Memorial Cup with the St. Catherine's Teepees in 1960.

Ellis will be formally presented with the Max Kaminsky Trophy at the OHL Awards Ceremony which takes place on Wednesday June 8, 2011, at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.  He will also be the OHL’s nominee for CHL Defenceman of the Year. 

2010-11 OHL Award Winners:

Rookie of the Year – Nail Yakupov, Sarnia Sting

Coach of the Year – Mark Reeds, Owen Sound Attack

Overage Player of the Year – Jason Akeson, Kitchener Rangers

Scholastic Player of the Year – Dougie Hamilton, Niagara IceDogs

High School Academic Player of the Year – Andrew D’Agostini, Peterborough Petes

Post-Secondary School Player of the Year – Derek Lanoue, Windsor Spitfires

Most Sportsmanlike Player of the Year – Jason Akeson, Kitchener Rangers

Humanitarian of the Year – Jack Walchessen, Peterborough Petes

Defenceman of the Year – Ryan Ellis, Windsor Spitfires

Goaltender of the Year – TBA

OHL All-Star Teams – TBA

Mickey Renaud Captain’s Trophy winner – TBA

Executive of the Year – TBA

Bill Long Award winner – TBA

Most Outstanding Player of the Year - TBA

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Attack Push Spits to the Brink

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windsorspitfires.com staff reports

Roman Berdnikov's breakaway goal stood up as the winner Monday night, as the Owen Sound Attack took a 3-1 lead in the Rogers Western Conference final, with a 3-2 win at the WFCU Centre.

The teams exchanged first period power play goals - Robby Mignardi for the visitors at 6:36, then Tom Kuhnhackl's 10th of the playoffs, on a bullet slapshot, at 15:59.

The second period was all about Jack Campbell, who made 22 saves in the frame, including an outstanding glove save off Andrew Shaw just shy of the nine-minute mark.

Jack's handywork was the sole reason the Spits headed to the room tied at 1-1. 

But it didn't take the Attack long to take a lead in the third. A Roman Berdnikov shot kicked out by Campbell bounced right onto the stick of Garrett Wilson, who potted the rebound into an empty net for a 2-1 lead at 2:52.

Berdnikov extended the lead to 3-1 just past the midway mark. After Adrian Robertson whiffed on a keep-in attempt at the Owen Sound blueline, the speedy Russian flew down the left wing, scooped up the puck and swooped in alone, beating Jack high glove side.

With Campbell on the bench, creating a 6-on-4 advantage, Tom Kuhnhackl's second of the game cut the lead to 3-2 at 17:23.

Shaw's goaltender interference penalty at 18:40 gave the Spits another power play, and another 6-on-4 with Campbell pulled again. But the Spits couldn't find the equalizer.

Windsor now faces elimination on Wednesday night in Owen Sound.

If necessary, Game Six will be played back at the WFCU Centre on Friday night.

Fans are encouraged to wear red for each Spitfire home game as part of the Spits “Mission 9-10-11” theme for the 2011 OHL Playoffs.

SCORING
FIRST PERIODOS Mignardi, (9) (Hishon, Wilson), 6:36 (PP) 

WSR Kuhnhackl, (10) (Carrick, Carnevale), 15:59 (PP)

SECOND PERIODNo Scoring

THIRD PERIODOS Wilson, (8) (Berdnikov, Hishon), 2:52

OS Berdnikov, (6) (Blacker) 10:24 

WSR Kuhnhackl, (11) (Carrick), 17:23 (PP)

SHOTSWINDSOR: 13 - 6  - 11 = 30 

OWEN SOUND: 10 - 22 - 12 = 44

PPSWINDSOR: 2-FOR-5

OWEN SOUND: 1-FOR-3

#1 Owen Sound vs. #4 Windsor – Rogers Western Conference Championship Series Schedule (Round Three)

2011 OHL Playoffs

Game 1 – Tuesday April 19 at 7:00 pm at Owen Sound (Owen Sound 8-1)

Game 2 – Thursday April 21 at 7:05 pm at Windsor (Windsor 4-2)

Game 3 – Saturday April 23 at 7:30 pm at Owen Sound (Owen Sound 6-4)

Game 4 – Monday April 25 at 7:05 pm at Windsor (Owen Sound 3-2)

Game 5 – Wednesday April 27 at 7:00 pm at Owen Sound

Game 6 – Friday April 29 at 7:05 pm at Windsor*

Game 7 – Sunday May 1 at 2:00 pm at Owen Sound*

*if necessary

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Wilson’s Late Game Heroics Secure Game Three Win for Attack

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With Windsor up one goal late in the game, a pair of ill advised penalties by the Spitfires led to consecutive goals by Attack captain Garrett Wilson, including the game winner with just over three minutes left to give the Attack a 6-4 win on Saturday night in Owen Sound.  The Attack now lead the Rogers Western Conference Championship series two games to one, with game four being played in Windsor on Monday night.

A failed clearing attempt by the Spits allowed the Attack to open the scoring, with Andrew Shaw roofing  a back hand on the first shot recorded by either team to make it 1-0 6:56 into the game.  Windsor scored shorthanded to tie the game at 9:44 of the opening frame with an unlikely combination striking as Craig Duininck drove to the net and tipped a point shot from Saverio Posa to score his first of the post-season.

Less than two minutes later, Owen Sound regained the lead on a Mike Halmo marker in a goal mouth scramble for a 2-1 Attack advantage.  Both teams played the rest of the period with a physical edge and headed to the dressing room with the Attack preserving their one goal lead.

Early in the second period, Attack netminder Scott Stacjer misplayed a Spits dump in and Jeff Brown scored on a bad angle shot to tie the game at 2-2.  The back and forth lead changes continued and Owen Sound would take their third lead of the game at the 3:25 mark, as Liam Heelis was allowed to walk into the Spits zone unmarked and scored on a wrist shot from the slot, making it 3-2. 

Moments later, Windsor went on the power play and Zack MacQueen tipped an Adrian Robertson shot from the left circle to score his first of the playoffs and tie the game yet again at 3-3.  The physical play continued from both sides and Jack Campbell made several big saves for the Spits to keep the game tied after two periods of play.

The Spitfires got off to a good start in the third period.  On an Owen Sound clearing attempt, Saverio Posa pinched in to keep the play alive in Attack zone and the puck rolled to Tom Kuhnhackl who made a beautiful pass to Alex Khokhlachev in the slot.  Koko unleashed a laser shot to score his eighth goal of the playoffs at 4:17, giving Windsor their first lead of the game at 4-3. 

Windsor hung onto the lead for the majority of the period before ill advised penalties by Jake Carrick and Zack Kassian gave the Attack two late power plays.  Owen Sound converted on each opportunity with Attack captain Garrett Wilson scoring both goals less than two minutes apart to give the home side a 5-4 advantage. 

Windsor pulled their goalie with one minute left in the contest and Bobby Mignardi scored on a partial breakaway into an empty net to give Owen Sound a 6-4 win. 

Game four of the Rogers Western Conference Championship Series between the Spits and Attack will be played on Monday, April 25^th at the WFCU Centre.  

Fans are encouraged to wear red for each Spitfire home game as part of the Spits “Mission 9-10-11” theme for the 2011 OHL Playoffs.

SCORING

FIRST PERIOD

OS Shaw, (6) (Halmo), 6:58

WSR Duininck, (1) (Posa, Carnevale), 9:44 (SH)

OS Halmo, (1) (Shaw, Schemitsch), 11:01

SECOND PERIOD

WSR Brown, (5) (Posa, Ellis) 1:14

OS Heelis, (5) (Blacker), 3:25

WSR MacQueen, (1) (Robertson, Kassian) 4:46 (PP)

THIRD PERIOD

WSR Khokhlachev, (8) (Kuhnhackl, Posa), 4:17

OS Wilson, (6) (Hishon, Stanisz), 15:27 (PP)

OS Wilson, (7) (Hishon, Stanisz), 16:56 (PP)

OS Mignardi, (8) (Blacker, Wilson), 19:42 (EN)

SHOTS

WINDSOR – 6 – 8 – 7 = 21

OWEN SOUND – 9 – 15 – 11 = 35

PPS

WINDSOR 1-FOR-3

OWEN SOUND 2-FOR-6

#1 Owen Sound vs. #4 Windsor – Rogers Western Conference Championship Series Schedule (Round Three)

2011 OHL Playoffs

Game 1 – Tuesday April 19 at 7:00 pm at Owen Sound (Owen Sound 8-1)

Game 2 – Thursday April 21 at 7:05 pm at Windsor (Windsor 4-2)

Game 3 – Saturday April 23 at 7:30 pm at Owen Sound (Owen Sound 6-4)

Game 4 – Monday April 25 at 7:05 pm at Windsor

Game 5 – Wednesday April 27 at 7:00 pm at Owen Sound

Game 6 – Friday April 29 at 7:05 pm at Windsor*

Game 7 – Sunday May 1 at 2:00 pm at Owen Sound*

*if necessary

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Kuhnhackl, Carny Lead Spitfires to Game 2 Win

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Tom Kuhnhackl scored a pair of goals - one in the opening minute and one in the final minute - as the Spitfires grinded out a huge, 4-2 win over the Owen Sound Attack in Game Two of the Rogers Western Conference final at the WFCU Centre in Windsor on Thursday night.  With the win, the Spits have now evened the series at 1-1.

Taylor Carnevale assisted on all four Windsor goals. Kerby Rychel and Zack Kassian also scored for the Spits.

Rychel's turned the tide in the second period.

The Spits were shorthanded four times in the frame, including a full two-minute, 5-on-3 that led to Jesse Blacker's go-ahead goal at 8:07. 

But the home side managed to fend off a third goal, and Rychel got them even at 2-2 with a strong rush to the net, tipping home a tape-to-tape pass from Carnevale at 16:14.

Kassian's sixth of the playoffs and fourth in two games put Windsor up for good just 1:49 into the third. The big fella waltzed out of the left corner and let a harmless looking wrister go that hit a stick and eluded Scott Stajcer.

The Attack did everything they could to get back in it, peppering Campbell late with an empty net.

But Kuhnhackl's ninth of the playoffs put the win on ice. The lanky winger hit the post dead-on, before picking up his own rebound and putting a backhander home, rounding out the scoring at 4-2.

Jack Campbell was outstanding in the Windsor goal, making 33 saves for his ninth win of the playoffs.

The series now shifts back to Owen Sound for Game three on Saturday night at 7:30 pm.  For game by game coverage, visit the Spits live blog at windsorspitfires.com or via twitter @GO_SPITS_GO. Fans can also tune into TVCOGECO to watch each game or catch the action live with Mike Miller, the Voice of the Spits on AM800.

Game four of the Rogers Western Conference Championship Series between the Spits and Attack will be played on Monday (April 25) at the WFCU Centre.  Game time is set for 7:05 pm.

Fans are encouraged to wear red for each Spitfire home game as part of the Spits “Mission 9-10-11” theme for the 2011 OHL Playoffs.

SCORING

FIRST PERIOD

WSR Kuhnhackl, (8) (Carnevale, Khokhlachev), 0:43 (PP),

OS Mignardi, (7) (Wilson, Heelis), 19:50

SECOND PERIOD

OS Blacker, (4) (Stanisz), 8:07 (PP)

WSR Rychel, (2) (Carnevale, Ellis), 16:14

THIRD PERIOD

WSR Kassian, (6) (Carnevale, Posa), 1:49

WSR Kuhnhackl, (9) (Carnevale, Ryan), 19:21 (EN)

SHOTS

WINDSOR: 7 - 8 - 8 = 23

OWEN SOUND: 6 - 20 - 9 = 35

PPS

WINDSOR: 1-FOR-4

OWEN SOUND: 1-FOR-5

#1 Owen Sound vs. #4 Windsor – Rogers Western Conference Championship Series Schedule (Round Three)

2011 OHL Playoffs

Game 1 – Tuesday April 19 at 7:00 pm at Owen Sound (Owen Sound 8-1)

Game 2 – Thursday April 21 at 7:05 pm at Windsor (Windsor 4-2)

Game 3 – Saturday April 23 at 7:30 pm at Owen Sound

Game 4 – Monday April 25 at 7:05 pm at Windsor

Game 5 – Wednesday April 27 at 7:00 pm at Owen Sound*

Game 6 – Friday April 29 at 7:05 pm at Windsor*

Game 7 – Sunday May 1 at 2:00 pm at Owen Sound*

*if necessary

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Owen Sound Routs the Windsor Spitfires 8-1 in Game One

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A fresh Attack squad took full advantage of the Spitfires on Tuesday night, as the Western Conference’s top ranked team routed Windsor 8-1 in the opening game of the Rogers Western Conference Championship series in Owen Sound.

Both teams were getting a feel for things in the early going and few chances were had in the game’s first ten minutes.  The Attack eventually opened the scoring, after Jarrod Maidens converted a Bobby Mignardi rebound into an empty cage at 14:17.  With 19 seconds left in the opening stanza, Joey Hishon increased Owen Sound’s lead to 2-0 on a shorthanded marker, beating Campbell with a wrist shot from the slot on a two-on-two counter attack.

Windsor opened the second frame on a positive note, with Adrian Robertson continued his hot post-season run, scoring a power play goal on a blast from the point to make it a 2-1 contest at the 6:49 mark.

Just 22 seconds later, Andrew Shaw restored the Attack’s two goal on an odd man rush lead to make it 3-1.  Midway through the frame, the Attack capitalized again on the special teams, as Hishon roofed a wrist shot on the power play for his second goal of the game and a 4-1 lead. 

Owen Sound’s onslaught continued, with captain Garrett Wilson banging in a rebound on the power play at 14:47 to make it 5-1 and Brandon Childerley scored one minute later to make it 6-1.  Andrew Shaw of the Attack made it 7-1 with 21 seconds left in the second period, converting a bad bounce off the back board to end a nightmarish 20 minutes for Windsor.

With the outcome already decided, Owen Sound made it 8-1 on the power play midway through the third period on a Roman Berdnikov marker. 

Game two of the Rogers Western Conference Championship Series between the Spits and Attack will be played on Thursday (April 21) at the WFCU Centre.  

Fans are encouraged to wear red for each Spitfire home game as part of the Spits “Mission 9-10-11” theme for the 2011 OHL Playoffs.

SCORING

FIRST PERIOD

OS Maidens, (2) (Mignardi, Gilbert), 14:17

OS Hishon, (2) (Wilson), 19:41 (SH)

SECOND PERIOD

WSR Robertson, (3) (Khokhlachev, Kuhnhackl), 6:39 (PP)

OS Shaw, (4) (Brace), 7:01

OS Hishon, (3) (Wilson, Stanisz), 10:24 (PP)

OS Wilson, (5) (Stanisz, Mignardi), 14:47 (PP)

OS Childerley, (4) (Gilbert, Maidens), 15:49

OS Shaw, (5) (Petgrave, Schemitsch), 19:39

THIRD PERIOD

OS Berdnikov, (5) (Shaw, Halmo) 10:36 (PP)

SHOTS

WINDSOR  10 – 19 – 10 = 39

OWEN SOUND 10 – 15 – 8 = 33

PPS

WINDSOR  1-FOR-6

OWEN SOUND 3-FOR-8

#1 Owen Sound vs. #4 Windsor – Rogers Western Conference Championship Series Schedule (Round Three)

2011 OHL Playoffs

Game 1 – Tuesday April 19 at 7:00 pm at Owen Sound (Owen Sound 8-1)

Game 2 – Thursday April 21 at 7:05 pm at Windsor

Game 3 – Saturday April 23 at 7:30 pm at Owen Sound

Game 4 – Monday April 25 at 7:05 pm at Windsor

Game 5 – Wednesday April 27 at 7:00 pm at Owen Sound*

Game 6 – Friday April 29 at 7:05 pm at Windsor*

Game 7 – Sunday May 1 at 2:00 pm at Owen Sound*

*if necessary

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Jake Carrick – The Tecumseh and South Walkerville Player of the Week

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windsorspitfires.com staff reports

Jake Carrick Player of the Week.
Photo by Joe Lemire/In Play! Magazine

After Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinal series in Saginaw, Jake Carrick said he'd played his 'worst game of the playoffs'. He was -2 with 13 penalty minutes in a 5-2 loss to the Spirit.

So he went to work and turned his play around, helping lead the Spitfires to three consecutive wins and a trip to the OHL's final four and earning himself Tecumseh and South Walkerville Vision Centres Windsor Spitfires Player of the Week honours for the period ending Sunday, April 17th.

In Game 4 on Thursday, back in Windsor, Carrick had a pair of goals and a +1 rating in a key 6-2 Spits win that knotted the series at two games apiece.

Two nights later, he vindicated himself back in Saginaw - again scoring two goals with a +2 rating, in a come-from-behind, 5-3 win over the Spirit.

Carrick wrapped up the week with a solid two-way performance, as the Spits won the series in six games on Sunday night with a 5-0 victory.

Jake Carrick in round two action against the Saginaw Spirit.
Photo by Joe Lemire / In Play! Magazine

It's been an outstanding playoff season for Carrick; who leads the Spitfires in goals with nine. Jake also ranks fifth on the team and eighth overall in the OHL in post-season points (14).

The entire staff at Tecumseh and South Walkerville Vision Centres congratulates Jake on an outstanding week, and wishes he and the Spitfires all the best of luck in their quest for a third straight Memorial Cup title!

Game one of Rogers Western Conference Final series starts tonight as the Spitfires are currently in Owen Sound, ready to take on the Attack.  Game time is set for 7 pm at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre.  Fans can catch the game live on TVCOGECO or listen to the action with Mike Miller, the Voice of the Spits on AM800.

Game two of the series will be played at the WFCU Centre this Thursday at 7:05 pm.

Fans are encouraged to wear red for each Spitfire home game as part of the Spits “Mission 9-10-11” theme for the 2011 OHL Playoffs.

2010-2011 Windsor Spitfires’ Players of the Week

Jake Carrick – Apr. 11 – Apr. 17, 2011

*Tom Kuhnhackl – Apr. 4 – Apr. 10, 2011

Adrian Robertson – Mar. 28 – Apr. 3, 2011

Jack Campbell – Mar. 21 – Mar. 27, 2011

Ryan Ellis – Mar. 14 – Mar. 20, 2011

Jack Campbell – Mar. 7 – Mar. 13, 2011

Craig Duininck – Feb. 28 – Mar. 6, 2011

Ryan Ellis – Feb. 21 – Feb. 27, 2011

Jeff Brown – Feb. 14 – Feb. 20, 2011

Taylor Carnevale – Feb. 7 – Feb. 13, 2011

Tom Kuhnhackl – Jan. 31 – Feb. 6, 2011

Alexander Khokhlachev – Jan. 24 – Jan. 30, 2011

Ryan Ellis – Jan. 17 – Jan. 23, 2011

Jake Carrick – Jan. 10 – Jan. 16, 2011

Kenny Ryan – Jan. 3 – Jan. 9, 2011

Saverio Posa – Dec. 27, 2010 – Jan. 2, 2011

Craig Duininck – Dec. 13 – Dec. 19, 2010

*Nick Ebert – Dec. 6 – Dec. 12, 2010

Troy Passingham – Nov. 29 – Dec. 5, 2010

Eric Locke – Nov. 22 – Nov. 28, 2010

Ryan Ellis – Nov. 15 – Nov. 21, 2010

Tom Kuhnhackl – Nov. 8 – Nov. 14, 2010

Tom Kuhnhackl – Nov. 1 – Nov. 7, 2010

Jack Campbell – Oct. 25 – Oct. 31, 2010

Tom Kuhnhackl – Oct. 18 – Oct. 24, 2010

Eric Locke – Oct. 11 – Oct. 17, 2010

Zack Kassian – Oct. 4 – Oct. 11, 2010

Kyle Tarini – Sep. 27 – Oct. 3, 2010

Alexander Khokhlachev – Sep. 21 – Sep. 27, 2010

* Player was selected as the OHL Player of the Week

** Player was selected as the OHL and CHL Player of the Week

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The Attack will see adversity for the first time in the post-season

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By David Clark
In Play! Magazine

Owen Sound has been waiting for Windsor. The Memorial Cup winning Windsor Spitfires will come into their house and try to finish off the team that secured the top spot in Western Conference at the end of the regular season. Guys like Hishon, Wilson and Blacker are three good reasons to respect the Attack who also have three good goalies to choose from for game 1. It is likely that over-ager Scott Stajcer who has four playoff wins under his belt already will probably get the call.

Regarding the Spitfires, they now have a record for winning ten straight playoff series in the history of the Ontario Hockey League by defeating the Saginaw Spirit who just seemed to fold at the end. Windsor celebrates the win but the Attack are ready and in the dressing room already, looking at video, discussing the match-ups and figuring out the best way to get done in their favour. The Spitfires prepared themselves for the Attack by beating clubs like Erie and Saginaw who were considered favourites but the Spitfires proved them wrong.

If Zack Kassian stays hot for the Spitfires that would make a huge difference in this upcoming series. He is red-hot, coming off his first hat-trick in the playoffs against Saginaw. His physical presence is understood out there by all opposing teams who move as far away from him as possible because he brings on the pain. When he’s on the ice, they know it.

The most decorated defenceman in OHL history, Ryan Ellis is tied for second in the playoff scoring race. In fact, Windsor has five other Spitfires joining him in the top ten in scoring for the 2011 playoffs. Kuhnhackl and Johnston are even with Ellis at 16 points and Khoklachev just one point shy from the others has 15. Some of the muscle on the team including Carrick and Kass are at 14. Carrick leads the team with nine goals and sits in 8^th overall in the OHL at the moment.

Another defenceman, Adrian Robertson who came from the Peterborough Petes in the big trade is showing up for every game, and scoring in a few. He is a scrappy defender for sure but he has 13 points additionally.

Jack Campbell has been outstanding since he started this campaign in a winning fashion in Game 2 against a very offensive Erie team who had a few snipers who knew how to finish. Campbell kept Windsor in it, stopping the Luciani’s, McKegg’s and Varone’s most of the time.

Near the end, Campbell had outplayed Sadikov in this tight series. Saginaw had an even harder time solving him but Shalla gave him fits. Campbell is one of the main reasons the Spits are going to the conference finals. Campbell is a big game goalie from the US National Junior Development System and is playing to the max right now, like the two World Junior Tournament medals including a gold he received for a winning performance. This is his A game and fans happy to see it.  

     The coaching staff in Windsor are very experienced at winning titles, particularly Bob Jones who has a winning system to work with, inherited from part owner and former coach Bob Boughner. Jones has his own way of doing things too with the help of D.J. Smith and David Matsos, showing the team how to win.

In the upcoming series against a formidable Owen Sound team, the players are buying into the system Jones has implemented. The team also shows they know how to cope with the pressure associated with going far into the playoffs, a task for the coaching staff has instilled on them.

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Rogers Western Conference Championship Series Schedule vs. Owen Sound Announced

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Following Windsor’s 5-0 victory over the Saginaw Spirit tonight, the Spitfires have won the OHL’s Western Conference Semi-Final Series four games to two.  The Spitfires will advance to the Rogers Western Conference Championship Series for the third consecutive season, as they take on the top seeded Owen Sound Attack.

Windsor set an OHA and OHL record tonight, winning their 10^th consecutive series in the past three seasons, breaking their tie with the Peterborough Petes 1978-1980 championship squads who won nine straight series.

The Rogers Western Conference Championship Series schedule is as follows:

#1 Owen Sound vs. #4 Windsor – Rogers Western Conference Championship Series Schedule (Round Three)

2011 OHL Playoffs

Game 1 – Tuesday April 19 at 7:00 pm at Owen Sound

Game 2 – Thursday April 21 at 7:05 pm at Windsor

Game 3 – Saturday April 23 at 7:30 pm at Owen Sound

Game 4 – Monday April 25 at 7:05 pm at Windsor

Game 5 – Wednesday April 27 at 7:00 pm at Owen Sound*

Game 6 – Friday April 29 at 7:05 pm at Windsor*

Game 7 – Sunday May 1 at 2:00 pm at Owen Sound*

*if necessary

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Kass Trick Eliminates Spirit

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Tickets for the first two home games of the Rogers Western Conference Final series against the Owen Sound Attack go on sale Monday morning at 10AM to Season Ticket Holders and at 12 noon for the General Public.  STH have until Tuesday at 6PM to purchase their tickets before they are released to the general public. 

Game 2 of the series will be this Thursday night at 7:05.  Visit windsorspitifres.com for the complete series schedule.

Fans are encouraged to wear red for each Spitfire home game as part of the Spits “Mission 9-10-11” theme for the 2011 OHL Playoffs.

windsorspitfires.com staff reports

Zack Kassian was dominant on Sunday night, scoring a goal in each period as the Spitfires took a 5-0 win over the Saginaw Spirit in Game Six of the Western Conference semifinal.

The victory gave Windsor a 4-2 series win, and punched its ticket back to the Rogers Western Conference final for a third straight year, where they will face the top seeded Owen Sound Attack.

Kassian and Alexander Khokhlachev scored power play goals in the first period, staking the home side to a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes.

Kass was back at it in the second; this time scoring on a breakaway for his fourth of the playoffs, to make it 3-0.

By the time Jeff Brown extended the lead to 4-0 at 14:39, the Spits had what they needed.

Kassian completed the hat trick with an unassisted goal at 6:31 of the third period.

Jack Campbell made 25 saves for his second shutout of the series.

The Spitfires set a modern day record for most consecutive series wins tonight, with 10. The previous record was held by the Peterborough Petes. 

Fans are encouraged to wear red for each Spitfire home game as part of the Spits “Mission 9-10-11” theme for the 2011 OHL Playoffs.

SCORING

FIRST PERIOD
WSR Khokhlachev, (7) (Kuhnhackl, Robertson), 7:19 (PP)

WSR Kassian, (3) (Johnston, Carnevale), 19:17 (PP)

SECOND PERIODWSR Kassian, (4) (Ryan), 8:58

WSR Brown, (4) (Posa), 14:39

THIRD PERIODWSR Kassian, (5) , 6:31

SHOTS

WINDSOR: 13 - 13 - 12 = 38

SAGINAW: 6 - 10 - 9 = 25

PPS

WINDSOR: 2-FOR-4

SAGINAW: 0-FOR-2

#2 Saginaw vs. #4 Windsor – OHL Western Conference Semi-Final Series (Round Two), 2011 OHL Playoffs

Game 1 – Friday, April 8^th @ Saginaw – 7:11 pm (Windsor 3-0)

Game 2 – Sunday, April 10^th @ Windsor – 2:05 pm (Saginaw 5-4, OT)

Game 3 – Tuesday, April 12^th @ Saginaw – 7:11 pm (Saginaw 5-2)

Game 4 – Thursday, April 14^th @ Windsor – 7:05 pm (Windsor 6-2)

Game 5 – Saturday, April 16^th @ Saginaw – 7:11 pm (Windsor 5-3)

Game 6 – Sunday, April 17^th @ Windsor – 7:05 pm (Windsor 5-0)

Windsor wins series four games to two

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Ellis Leads Spits to 5-3 Win, Spits can Clinch Series with Game Six Win

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windsorspitfires.com reports

Windsor didn’t get off to a good start on the road Saturday night in game five of the series.  However, the Spits stayed within striking distance and Spits Captain Ryan Ellis showed why he’s one of the best players period in junior hockey, scoring the go ahead goal for the Spits with less than four minutes left in the game to give Windsor their first lead of the game and a 5-3 win.

Windsor holds a three games to two series lead against the Spirit and can clinch the series, and a berth in the Western Conference Finals against Owen Sound with a victory later today in Windsor.  Game time is set for 7:05 pm.

Saginaw struck early.  Brandon Saad converted a Matt Sisca cross crease pass, catching the Spitfires flat footed in transition 44 seconds into the game to give Saginaw the early 1-0 lead.  After a Ryan Ellis holding the stick penalty, Peter Hermenegildo banged in a rebound from a Chiarot point shot midway through the period to make it a 2-0 lead for the Spirit.

Spits netminder Jack Campbell made some big save to keep the Spits in the game; denying Matt Sisca on a breakaway with 6 minutes left in the first period and making an exceptional diving save on a partial breakaway by Saad two minutes later.  Saginaw took their 2-0 edge to the dressing room after 20 minutes of play.

In the second period, Jake Carrick put the Spits on the board 10:29 into the second period powering past a Spirit defender to make it a 2-1 game.  After a Kerby Rychel hooking penalty, Saginaw restored their two-goal lead on the power play with just over seven minutes left in the frame on a Dalton Prout blast from the right point. 

Jake Carrick brought the Spits back to within one with his second of the night, beating Parks with a wrist shot high blocker making it 3-2.  A great hustle play by Jeff Brown in Saginaw’s zone left Carnevale wide open in front of the net, as Carny netted his fifth of the playoffs with 45 seconds left in the third period to tie the game at three apiece.

In the third period, Saginaw carried the play and had many chances, with Campbell continuing to shine in goal for the Spits.   Windsor broke the tie with less than four minutes to go, after Ryan Ellis snuck in front the point and tapped in a Zack Kassian wrist shot that squeaked by Mavric Parks at 16:06 of the third period, giving Windsor its first lead of the game at 4-3.

A Kenny Ryan empty netter with 18 seconds ended any chances of a Spirit comeback and secured a 5-3 victory for Windsor.

Fans are encouraged to wear red for each Spitfire home game as part of the Spits “Mission 9-10-11” theme for the 2011 OHL Playoffs.

SCORING

FIRST PERIOD

SAG Saad, (3) (Sisca), 0:44

SAG Hermengildo, (1) (Chiarot, McFarland), 9:25 (PP)

SECOND PERIOD

WSR Carrick, (8) 10:29

SAG, Prout (2) (Saad, Trocheck) 13:06 (PP)

WSR Carrick, (9) (Kuhnhackl) 13:33

WSR Carnevale (5) (Brown, Ellis) 19:14

THIRD PERIOD

WSR Ellis, (Kassian) 16:54

WSR Ryan, 19:42 (EN)

SHOTS

WINDSOR  11-13-8 = 32

SAGINAW  7-10-12 = 29

PPS

WINDSOR  0-FOR-1

SAGINAW  2-FOR-3

#2 Saginaw vs. #4 Windsor – OHL Western Conference Semi-Final Series (Round Two), 2011 OHL Playoffs

Game 1 – Friday, April 8^th @ Saginaw – 7:11 pm (Windsor 3-0)

Game 2 – Sunday, April 10^th @ Windsor – 2:05 pm (Saginaw 5-4, OT)

Game 3 – Tuesday, April 12^th @ Saginaw – 7:11 pm (Saginaw 5-2)

Game 4 – Thursday, April 14^th @ Windsor – 7:05 pm (Windsor 6-2)

Game 5 – Saturday, April 16^th @ Saginaw – 7:11 pm (Windsor 5-3)

Game 6 – Sunday, April 17^th @ Windsor – 7:05 pm

*Game 7 – Monday, April 18^th @ Saginaw – 7:11 pm

* If necessary

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Spits Respond, Win Game Four

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windsorspitfires.com staff reports

There was no room for error. No excuses left for a slow start. 

So the Spitfires did what they've done so many times in the past three years: took it to their opponent in the biggest game of the year.

Ryan Ellis, Alexander Khokhlachev, Jeff Brown and Kenny Ryan staked the home side to a 4-0 lead in the first period, and an overwhelmed Saginaw club never recovered, as the Spits won 6-2 tonight, evening their Western Conference semifinal series with the Spirit at two games each.

Jake Carrick had a pair of goals for Windsor. Josh Shalla and John McFarland replied for Saginaw. Jack Campbell made 29 saves in goal for the win. 

SCORING

FIRST PERIOD
WSR Ellis, (5) (Ebert, Johnston), 4:40 (PP)
WSR Khokhlachev, (6) (Kuhnhackl, Robertson), 8:30
WSR Brown, (3) (Carnevale, Rychel), 12:37
WSR Ryan, (3) (Kassian, Johnston), 16:33

SECOND PERIOD
SAG Shalla, (8) (Szwarz, Telegin), 3:40 (PP)
WSR Carrick, (6) (Ellis, Robertson), 13:06 (PP)

THIRD PERIOD
SAG McFarland, (5) (Sisca, Chiarot), 10:11
WSR Carrick, (7) (Robertson, Khokhlachev), 10:32

SHOTS
WINDSOR: 13 - 11 - 9 = 33
SAGINAW: 11 - 12 - 8 = 31

PPS
WINDSOR - 2-FOR-5
SAGINAW - 1-FOR-2

#2 Saginaw vs. #4 Windsor – OHL Western Conference Semi-Final Series (Round Two), 2011 OHL Playoffs

Game 1 – Friday, April 8^th @ Saginaw – 7:11 pm (Windsor 3-0)

Game 2 – Sunday, April 10^th @ Windsor – 2:05 pm (Saginaw 5-4, OT)

Game 3 – Tuesday, April 12^th @ Saginaw – 7:11 pm (Saginaw 5-2)

Game 4 – Thursday, April 14^th @ Windsor – 7:05 pm (Windsor 6-2)

Game 5 – Saturday, April 16^th @ Saginaw – 7:11 pm

Game 6 – Sunday, April 17^th @ Windsor – 7:05 pm

*Game 7 – Monday, April 18^th @ Saginaw – 7:11 pm

* If necessary

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Rangers’ Jason Akeson named OHL Overage Player of the Year

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Wednesday April 13, 2011

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that forward Jason Akeson of the Kitchener Rangers is the 2010-11 recipient of the Leo Lalonde Memorial Trophy as the OHL’s Overage Player of the Year. 

Akeson tied for the OHL-lead in scoring with 108 points in 67 games.  He scored 24 goals and recorded a league-high 84 assists to establish a new Rangers’ record surpassing Dwight Foster who produced 83 assists in the 1976-77 season.  He capped off his four-year OHL career as a co-recipient of the Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy awarded to the league’s Top Scorer, also receiving the Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy awarded to the Top Scoring Right Winger shared with Tyler Toffoli of the Ottawa 67’s.  Akeson is the franchise’s third Leo Lalonde Memorial Trophy winner in the 28 years it has been presented following forward Joey St. Aubin in 1990-91, and defenceman Andre Benoit in the 2004-05 season. 

“I am very thankful for the opportunities I have had with the Rangers,” said Akeson.  “I have had a memorable career in Kitchener and am grateful to the Rangers’ coaching staff for helping me excel and play my game at both ends of the ice in front of such a supportive fan base.  I am honoured to be named the league’s overage player of the year.”

A 20-year-old from Orleans, ON, Akeson was selected by the Kitchener Rangers in the sixth round of the 2007 OHL Priority Selection from the Cumberland Grads of the CCHL just one month before turning 17.  He made his Rangers debut in the second half of the 2007-08 season and played 16 playoff games for the OHL Champions.  He was named to the Second All-Rookie Team the following season with 64 points in 56 games, improving to 80 points in 65 games last season.  He was recognized by Western Conference Coaches as the Most Improved Player this season in the annual Coaches Poll recording 30 multi-point games including two six-point games to finish his OHL career with 254 points in 201 games.  In March, Akeson signed a three-year entry-level contract as a Free Agent with the Philadelphia Flyers. 

“Jason should be an inspiration for all young players,” said Rangers General Manager and Head Coach Steve Spott.  “Jason was a mid round draft pick into the Ontario Hockey League and never drafted to an NHL team.  When Jason joined the Kitchener Rangers in 2008 he was on our fourth line and played as an energy player.  His hard work both on and off the ice, combined with his personal confidence has allowed him to become an impact player as an over age in the OHL.  We are proud that Jason has signed with the Philadelphia Flyers and will pave the way for future overage players in our league.”

The Leo Lalonde Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the top overage player of the year as selected by OHL General Managers.  Teams were not permitted to vote for players from their own hockey club. Players received five points for a first place vote, three points for a second place vote and one point for a third place vote.

Akeson finished the voting process with 78 points ahead of Phil Varone of the Erie Otters who finished second with 38 points.  Defenceman Marc Cantin of the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors finished in third with 30 points. 

Former winners of the trophy include Bill Bowler (Windsor, 1994-95), and Dan Tessier (Ottawa 99-00), along with current NHL stars Chad LaRose (Plymouth 2002-03), and Ryan Callahan (Guelph, 2005-06).  Bryan Cameron of the Barrie Colts scored 53 goals and 25 assists for 78 points in 62 games to capture the award last season. 

The Leo Lalonde Memorial Trophy was donated by the trainers of the Ontario Hockey League, in memory of the late Leo Lalonde, former Chief Scout of OHL Central Scouting.  Leo Lalonde was also formerly the Chief Scout for the Belleville Bulls as well as a scout for the Peterborough Petes.

Akeson will be formally presented with the Leo Lalonde Memorial Trophy at the 2010-11 OHL Awards Ceremony scheduled for June 8 at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.

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Spirit Win 5-2, Take Series Lead

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2,574 fans made their way to the Dow Event Center for game three of Spits-Spirit Western Conference semi-final on Tuesday and the Spirit took a two games to one series lead, with a 5-2 win Tuesday night.

The home side got off to a good start three minutes into the contest.  Saginaw’s Garrett Ross converted a Jordan Szwarz feed for the game’s first goal, catching the Spits on a bad line change to take an early lead.

Midway through the frame, Windsor was unable to control a dump in behind their goal and Ivan Telegin found Josh Shalla unabated in front of the Spits goal, as Shalla doubled the lead for the home side.  

Ross increased Saginaw’s lead to 3-0, finding himself alone in front of the Spits goal and scoring his second goal of the game on a backhand that trickled between Campbell’s pads with less than a minute left in a period the Spits would like to forget.

The Spits didn’t fare much better at the start of the second frame.  Vincent Trocheck scored in transition on a two on one to give the Spirit a four goal lead at the 9:44 mark.  Campbell made a big save three minutes later on a seemingly sure goal for the Spirit and Zack Kassian scored Windsor’s first goal moments later on a breakaway, beating Mavric Parks high glove to cut the lead to 4-1 after 40 minutes of play.

Alexander Khokhlachev close the gap to 4-2 for Saginaw with eight minutes to play, on a seemingly harmless wrist shot from the top right circle that deflected off a Spirit defenceman and fooled Mavric Parks.  Windsor’s apparent comeback was short lived though and Ivan Telegin capitalized on a Jake Carrick penalty less than two minutes later to restore Saginaw’s three-goal lead and securing the win for the Spirit.

Fans are encouraged to wear red for each Spitfire home game as part of the Spits “Mission 9-10-11” theme for the 2011 OHL Playoffs.

SCORING

FIRST PERIOD

SAG Ross, (2) (Szwarz, O’Connor) 3:34

SAG Shalla, (7) (Telegin, Sisca), 9:04

SAG Ross, (3) (Szwarz, O’Connor), 19:16

SECOND PERIOD

SAG Trocheck, (5) (Telegin, Saad), 9:50

WSR Kassian, (2), 14:09

THIRD PERIOD

WSR Khokhlachev, (5), 11:52

SAG Telegin, (2) Szwarz, O’Connor, 13:39 (PP)

SHOTS

WINDSOR: 10 – 8 – 13 = 31

SAGINAW: 12 – 8 – 9 = 29

POWER PLAY

WINDSOR 0-FOR-4

SAGINAW 1-FOR-5

#2 Saginaw vs. #4 Windsor – OHL Western Conference Semi-Final Series (Round Two), 2011 OHL Playoffs

Game 1 – Friday, April 8^th @ Saginaw – 7:11 pm (Windsor 3-0)

Game 2 – Sunday, April 10^th @ Windsor – 2:05 pm (Saginaw 5-4, OT)

Game 3 – Tuesday, April 12^th @ Saginaw – 7:11 pm (Saginaw 5-2)

Game 4 – Thursday, April 14^th @ Windsor – 7:05 pm

Game 5 – Saturday, April 16^th @ Saginaw – 7:11 pm

*Game 6 – Sunday, April 17^th @ Windsor – 7:05 pm

*Game 7 – Monday, April 18^th @ Saginaw – 7:11 pm

* If necessary

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Spitfires’ Tom Kuhnhackl Named OHL Player of the Week

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Monday April 11, 2011

Tom Kuhnhackl OHL Player of the Week
Photo By Joe Lemire / In Play! Magazine

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that forward Tom Kuhnhackl of the Windsor Spitfires is the OHL Player of the Week for the week ending April 10 after scoring four goals and one assist for five points in three playoff games with a plus-minus rating of plus-4.

Kuhnhackl was the hero for the Spitfires in Game seven of their first round playoff series against the Erie Otters scoring two goals including the game-winner with less than three minutes to play in regulation to clinch the series.  He added an assist and was named the game’s first star in the Spitfires’ 5-4 victory.  Kuhnhackl was also named second star of Sunday’s Game two of the Western Conference Semi-Finals against the Saginaw Spirit scoring two goals despite a 5-4 overtime loss.  The Spitfires and the Spirit are tied 1-1 in the second round series with the Spits earning a 3-0 shutout victory in Game one on Friday. 

Kuhnhackl, a 19-year-old from Landshut, Germany, is playing in his first OHL season with the Spitfires.  A Pittsburgh Penguins prospect, Kuhnhackl scored 39 goals and 29 assists for 68 points in 63 regular season games and has 13 points so far in nine games this post-season. 



Photo By Joe Lemire / In Play! Magazine



Eric O’Dell of the Sudbury Wolves and Tyler Brown of the Plymouth Whalers were also considered after each recording five points this past week.  O’Dell picked up three goals and two assists in two games, while Brown scored once and added four assists in three games.  In goal, Jack Campbell of the Windsor Spitfires won twice and suffered an overtime loss posting a goals-against-average of 2.96 and save percentage of .901 while recording his first career OHL shutout. 

2010-11 OHL Playoff Players of the Week:

Apr. 4 – Apr. 10: Tom Kuhnhackl, Windsor Spitfires

Mar. 28 – Apr. 3: Anthony Luciani, Erie Otters

Mar. 21 – Mar. 27: Christian Thomas, Oshawa Generals

2010-11 OHL Regular Season Players of the Week:

Mar. 14 – Mar. 20: Tyler Toffoli, Ottawa 67’s

Mar. 7 – Mar. 13: Christian Thomas, Oshawa Generals

Feb. 28 – Mar. 6: JP Anderson, Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors

Feb. 21 – Feb. 27: Taylor Beck, Guelph Storm

Feb. 14 – Feb. 20: Greg McKegg, Erie Otters

Feb. 7 – Feb. 13: Mark Visentin, Niagara IceDogs

Jan. 31 – Feb. 6: Brett Thompson, Erie Otters

Jan. 24 – Jan. 30: Cody Lindsay, Ottawa 67’s

Jan. 17 – Jan. 23: Seth Griffith, London Knights

Jan. 10 – Jan. 16: Nicklas Jensen, Oshawa Generals

Jan. 3 – Jan. 9: Tyler Toffoli, Ottawa 67’s

Dec. 27 – Jan. 2: Joey Hishon, Owen Sound Attack

Dec. 13 – Dec. 19: Colin Behenna, Barrie Colts

Dec. 6 – Dec. 12: Nick Ebert, Windsor Spitfires

Nov. 29 – Dec. 5: Ryan Strome, Niagara IceDogs

Nov. 22 – Nov. 28: Greg McKegg, Erie Otters

Nov. 15 – Nov. 21: Christian Thomas, Oshawa Generals

Nov. 8 – Nov. 14: Tyler Toffoli, Ottawa 67’s

Nov. 1 – Nov. 7: Jason Akeson, Kitchener Rangers

Oct. 25 – Oct. 31: Justin Shugg, Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors

Oct. 18 – Oct. 24: Joey Hishon, Owen Sound Attack

Oct. 11 – 17: Garrett Wilson, Owen Sound Attack

Oct. 4 – 10: Nathan Moon, Kingston Frontenacs

Sept. 27 – Oct. 3: Greg McKegg, Erie Otters

Sept. 23 – Sept. 26: Alex Aleardi, Plymouth Whalers

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