Spitfires skid continues

by Mitch Brandner

High scoring, heavy hitting and nearly a line brawl. Just another game in the storied rivalry between the Windsor Spitfires and London Knights.

The Knights came into the game riding a 21 game winning streak, while the Spits had  dropped three straight and were missing a big offensive threat in Josh Ho-Sang. Captain Saverio Posa (illness) and Patrick Sieloff (United States world junior team) were also absent.

Windsor struck first when forward Michael Clarke scored off of a Kerby Rychel pass and things seemed to be rolling for the Spits. However a power play goal by Max Domi with just 21 seconds remaining in the first period gave London a 3-2 lead.

Twice in the game London scored within minutes of Windsor to take away any momentum the Spitfires could muster.

“You gotta give them credit,” said Rychel. “That’s why they’re arguably the best team in the CHL. Every time we got one, they answered right back but we kind of shot ourselves in the foot by giving them those goals.”

The game had 116 penalty minutes between the two teams thanks in large part to a semi-brawl in the third period. It should come as no surprise, however, as Windsor and London generally don’t get along.

“It’s a big rivalry,” said Domi. “Both teams were competing and they weren’t too happy with us. We stuck up for our teammates.”

After defenceman Adam Bateman brought Windsor to within a goal in the second period, the Knights answered with one of their own seven seconds later to make the score 6-4. The goal seemed to defeat Windsor’s spirits as London went on to score three unanswered goals in the third en route to a 9-4 victory.

“There were some major miscues, especially at the end of the second, which hurt us,” said head coach Bob Boughner. “We could’ve went in (to the intermission) with a one goal deficit instead of two. That hurt us.”

Windsor will look to snap their four game losing streak when they travel to Saginaw Dec. 29 to face off against the Spirit.