Spits power play stays hot

by Mitchell Brandner

In squeaking out a narrow 2-1 victory over the visiting Erie Otters Oct. 18, the Spitfires moved within a point of first place in the Ontario Hockey League’s West Division.

The game had a lot of whistles and sloppy turnovers until Spitfires defenceman Patrick Sieloff laid a devastating hit on Otters forward Hayden Hodgson. The hit seemed to spark the Spitfires who took over the game soon after.

“I saw the puck being rimmed around and those are the (hits) I look for,” said Sieloff. “I heard he’s a younger guy and his lesson was paid. I don’t know if it was our guy or their guy that rimmed it around but whenever you’re looking back like that you’re asking for it.”

In the aftermath of the hit Windsor ended up with a seven minute power play and they were able to capitalize twice on goals from Kerby Rychel and Derek Schoenmakers. The Spitfires power play, which is ranked sixth in the OHL, has scored in three straight games.

“Special teams won the game for us today,” said Spits head coach Bob Boughner. “(Otters goaltender) Oscar Dansk was tough to beat and our power play got two and our penalty kill was excellent.”

Otters rookie Connor McDavid scored his fifth goal of the season to pull the Otters within one goal midway through the third period.

“It was a great pass from J.P. (Labardo),” said McDavid. “It was an OK goal, it was a big goal in the game but obviously we wanted two points.”

These two teams will meet again Oct. 20 in Erie as the Otters will look to get back at the Spits in their own rink.