Hounds nip Spits in OT
Down their top two defensemen and also minus a pair of top six forwards due to injury, the Windsor Spitfires nearly stole Game 3 in their opening round playoff series with the Soo Greyhounds.
But a goal by overage defenseman Caedan Carlise at the 7:31 mark of overtime gave the Greyhounds a much needed win over the Spitfires.
Windsor still leads the best of seven, Ontario Hockey League Western Conference playoff series, now by a two games to one margin. Game 4 of the series is slated for Wednesday night in Sault Ste. Marie.
Justin Cloutier and Travis Hayes scored the other goals for the Greyhounds while defenseman Carson Woodall and captain Liam Greentree replied for the Spitfires. Greentree tied the game for Windsor with 21 seconds left to play in the third period.
Windsor played the game minus high end defensemen Tnias Mathurin and Anthony Cristoforo, not to mention productive forwards A.J. Spellacy and Ethan Belchetz. The Spitfires also lost veteran forward Luke McNamara due to injury in the Game 3 defeat.
Both goalies played very well as Joey Costanzo of the Spitfires and Nolan Lalonde of the Soo were in top form. While the shots on goal were 33-33 it was Costanzo who made a number of exceptional saves to keep the shorthanded Spitfires in the game.