Spits embark on long trip

By Kenton Wolfe

The Windsor Spitfires have packed up and left the WFCU Centre with a five-game road trip underway.

Forcing the Spits out of their arena is the second annual Skate Canada International competition, a figure skating contest which has events held all over the world.

Not scheduled to return until Nov. 1, the team has split the first two games of their elongated journey, winning once against the Erie Otters and losing to the Brampton Battalion. Though the tour has altered the team’s usual routine of having Thursday and Sunday home games, Spits forward Derek Schoenmakers says it has brought the team closer together.

“It’s definitely weird being on the road (this long),” said Schoenmakers. “At the same time it’s real good for the boys and the coaches. We like getting away together.”

The trip has coincided with a period of increased offensive production for Schoenmakers, who scored a goal in the second outing of the two games they’ve already played.

Though the team usually drives back from road games the same night they are played, the Spitfires have been easing the road trip by staying at hotels.

“Doing hotels in stuff is good,” said Schoenmakers.  “We’re doing activities together, a lot of team bonding. You hear about professional teams going on the road and whatever happens. It’s definitely a good time to bond together.”

Also benefiting from the time away is Spitfires forward Kerby Rychel, who is enjoying a streak of seven goals in seven games, two of those games being on the current road trip.

“It’s actually good to spend some time on the road,” said Rychel. “We’ve been spending a lot of time in the hotels, eat some meals together and stuff like that.”

The Spitfires will continue their trip through Ontario with visits to Sarnia, Guelph and Owen Sound before playing a home game against the London Knights on Nov. 1.

Follow @MNN_KentonWolfe for more Spitfires updates.