Spitfires again unable to complete comeback in 6-5 overtime loss to Spirit

Article content

Once again, the Windsor Spitfires found themselves in a game of chase.

Article content

Battling a three-goal deficit, the Spitfires rallied to force overtime before falling 6-5 in overtime to the Saginaw Spirit in front of a crowd of 3,389 at the Dow Event Center on Saturday.

It was the third consecutive loss for the Spitfires, who left the ice upset feeling that defender Louka Henault had been hooked by Saginaw’s Roberto Mancini on a play that ultimately led to Calem Mangone’s winning goal at 3:01 in overtime. .

“You’re frustrated because our guys worked hard and again it’s a chance to score and they are usually called upon,” said Spitfires head coach Marc Savard. “We didn’t get (that call).”

But even more concerning for the Spitfires at this point in the season is the team’s tendency to fall behind, rallying to get back into the game, but too often they come up short on the comeback offer.

Article content

In 19 games this season, the Spitfires have been behind in nine of those games before the third period and only twice have the club come away with a win. By contrast, the Spitfires are perfect 4-0 when they lead in the third period this season.

“We have talked about it many times,” Savard said. “We don’t give up, but it would be nice to have an advantage and not give up leading, but (fighting is) something you appreciate from the guys. They keep trying to dig deeper, but it would be nice to have clues. “

Saturday’s loss was the second in consecutive games against Spirit. In Friday’s one-goal loss at home, the Spitfires saw a rebound in the third period from a four-goal, one-goal deficit before Saginaw took a dominant lead with five unanswered goals in the second period.

Article content

On Saturday, the intermission period proved problematic again for the Spitfires, who saw a one-goal lead slip away as Saginaw scored four unanswered goals in just under seven minutes.

Kyle McDonald, who has eight goals in his last eight games, put the Spitfires on the scoreboard first with a power play goal, but Dalton Durhart tied the Spirit with 90 seconds remaining in the opening period on a two power play. late men. .

Rookie Ethan Martin, who was called up due to injuries, made a good cross pass to rookie Christopher O’Flaherty, who put the Spitfires in for the only time in the game with his first OHL goal.

Josh Bloom, Nick Wong, Matyas Sapovaliv and Bloom, with a short effort, turned the deficit into a 5-2 lead for Saginaw.

Article content

“It’s a concern,” Savard admitted. “Second periods, the last two games have not been our best period and we are going to have to adjust, but again we have a lot of young children playing.”

Captain Will Cuylle, with his twelfth goal in the last 12 games, put the Spitfires to 5-3 after 40 minutes on a power play goal as a resurgent Windsor power play scored three times with the man advantage. .

“We have had opportunities throughout the year,” Savard said. “I am frustrated that I have allowed two shorties in the last two games.”

Overage Daniel D’Amico intercepted a pass and skidding to make it a one-goal game early in the third period and first-year forward Oliver Peer scored his first OHL goal and third in the power play for the Spitfires to tie the game. and force overtime.

Article content

“It’s good to see O’Flaherty and Peer get on the board and hopefully move on,” Savard said.

But the Spitfires could only squeeze a single point and have now slipped to a three-point tie for third place in the Division West.

“We’re .500 (8-8-1-2) and we’re good for now, but we have to get on a streak,” said Savard, who gave the players Sunday and Monday off. “We have gone through a difficult section and I think it will be a good section.”

The Spitfires return home Thursday to play the Erie Otters. Game time at the WFCU Center is 7:35 pm

[email protected]

twitter.com/winstarparker

Game Summary

Saturday result

Spirit 6 Spitfires 5 (OT)

Windsor 1 2 2 0 – 5

Saginaw 1 4 0 1-6

First period: 1. Windsor, McDonald 12 (Henault, Johnston) 15:39 (pp), 2. Saginaw, Duhart 5 (Mintyukov, Sapovaliv) 18:30 (pp). Penalties: Cuylle W (shot) 2:35, Duhart S (shot) 5:02, Codd S (shot) 6:47, Birkett W (roughing) 10:16, Mancini S (shot) 15:26, Maggio W (shot) , Renwick W (unsportsmanlike conduct) 16:42.

Article content

Second period: 3. Windsor, O’Flaherty 1 (Martin) 6:20, 4. Saginaw, Bloom 14 (Mancini, Mintyukov) 9:28, 5. Saginaw, Wong 7 (Bloom, Smith) 11:30, 6. Saginaw, Sapovaliv 6 (Smith) 14:30, 7. Saginaw, Bloom 15 (unaided) 16:21 (sh), 8. Windsor, Cuylle 15 (Johnston, Ladd) 17:33 (pp). Penalties: Abraham W (holding) 3:20, Mangone S (high grip) 15:34.

Third period: 9. Windsor, D’Amico 5 (no assistance) 1:42, 10. Windsor, Peer 1 (Abraham, D’Amico) 5:01 (pp). Penalties: Schlueting S (stumble) 3:34, Baber S (brush) 7:12.

Overtime: 11. Saginaw, Mangone 6 (Bloom, Mancini) 3:01. Penalties: None.

Game Statistics – SOG – Windsor 10 9 7 1 – 27 Saginaw 9 12 9 2 – 32 Goal (shot-saves) – Windsor: Tovell (L, 1-2-1-0) (32-26). Saginaw: Fullerton (G, 1-1-0-0) (27-22). Power play (goals-chances) – Windsor 3-6. Saginaw 1-5. Referees: Nichola Bet (79) and Brandon Biggers (56). Linesmen: Colton Giacumbo (64) and Jared Hiebert (42). For: 3,389 at the Dow Event Center.