Changes pay early dividends for Spits

by Mitch Brandner

The new look Windsor Spitfires snapped their seven-game losing streak in convincing fashion.

Rookie forward Ryan Verbeek scored his first Ontario Hockey League goal and goaltender Jaroslav Pavelka got his first shutout of the season en route to a 3-0 victory over the Brampton Battalion.

“I felt so excited, I didn’t know what to do,” said Verbeek. “I was going nuts on the ice. I didn’t know what celebration to do or anything like that.”

Of the four new players that the Spitfires acquired before the trade deadline two registered points in the game. Forwards Alex Aleardi and Alexander Khokhlachev each had an assist. Though Slater Koekkoek and Remy Giftopoulos didn’t get on the score sheet, they made their presence felt.

“(Giftopoulos) came out here tonight and showed exactly why he’s a good player,” said head coach Bob Boughner. “His board play was excellent, his puck possession was good, he blocked shots and he had four or five hits. I thought he had an excellent game.”

Khokhlachev played on a line with Kerby Rychel and Alex Aleardi and the unit created multiple scoring chances throughout the game. It was a well known fact that Khokhlachev had great chemistry with Rychel last season and it was evident tonight as they both assisted on a power play tally by forward Ben Johnson.

“It feels good (to be back with Rychel),” said Khokhlachev. “I think we have a good line with me and Kerby and I think we played pretty good tonight.”

Pavelka made 38 saves in the victory, enough for his first shutout of the season.

“They got almost 40 shots but most of them were from the blueline and guys blocked a couple,” said Pavelka. “They helped me so much.”

With new faces comes new life. The victory puts the Spits just five points back of the final playoff spot.