Spits rally for win against Greyhounds

by Evan Mathias

The Windsor Spitfires bounced back from a slow start for a 7-4 win over the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds March 6 at the WFCU Centre.

Within the first four minutes the Greyhounds had struck twice leaving Windsor in a 2-0 hole.

“Our starts haven’t been good lately,” said Spits head coach Bob Boughner. “It seems we’re really tentative instead of going out relaxed and playing our game.”

Windsor responded midway through the period with goals from Kerby Rychel and Brady Vail, who was sprung on a partial breakaway by Alex Aleardi.

Greyhounds defenceman Ryan Sproul snapped the tie on an early second period power play with a big one-timer from the point.

The Spits offence exploded for three goals in just over a three-minute span, sparked by Josh Ho-Sang’s highlight reel effort to get past two Soo defenders before burying a backhand over Greyhounds goalie Justin Nichols’ blocker.

Spits forwards Ben Johnson and Remy Giftopoulos scored to increase Windsor’s lead to 5-3.

Rychel scored on a late third period power play for his second goal of the evening. The goal came on one of his game-high nine shots on goal. Rychel and his linemates Aleardi and Alex Khokhlachev combined for eight points.

“If I could have scored (more) tonight, (our line) would have had six or seven goals,” said Rychel.

Windsor’s season is coming to a close sitting six points back of a playoff spot with only four games remaining. However the Spits aren’t ready to give up quite yet.

“We’re peeved off at some of the opportunities we have let go in the last two or three weeks,” said Boughner. “Until someone puts a nail in the coffin we’re not dead and were going to keep pushing and fighting and try to get as many points as possible.”