OHL playoffs underway
Windsor Spitfires and Flint Firebirds both began the 2026 Ontario Hockey League playoffs with home ice victories on Thursday.
Spitfires 4, Guelph Storm 0. Windsor, which is the no. 2 seed in the Western Conference, got 20 saves from Joey Costanzo — the first career playoff shutout for the overage goalie — and goals from four different skaters in blanking the no. 7 seed Storm. Nathan Gaymes, Nathan Villeneuve, Jakub Fibigr and captain Liam Greentree all found range as the Spitfires took a 1-0 lead in the best of seven series. The game marked the return to action for Villeneuve, who had missed the final six games of the regular season with a knee injury. Game 2 in the series is slated for this Saturday at 7:05 p.m. at the WFCU Centre in Windsor.
Firebirds 8, Owen Sound 1. No. 3 seed Flint erupted for the Western Conference series opening win over the no,. 6 seed Attack as several players had multiple point outings. Jacob Battaglia sparked the Firebirds with two goals and four assists. Nathan Aspinall and Chris Thibodeau both had one goal, three assist, performances. Meantime, Jimmy Lombardi, Darian Anderson, Dryden Allen and Xavier Tessier rounded out the Flint scoring and Kevin He had three assists. Mason Vaccari had 24 saves for Flint, which will he home again for Game 2 this Saturday at 7:00 p.m. at the Dort Financial Centre.
Photos below: Mason Vaccari and Nathan Villeneuve
