The Windsor Spitfires had the game right where they wanted it-twice. But in a rivalry that rarely disappoints, the Kitchener Rangers found a way to spoil the party, rallying for a 3-2 overtime win in front of 5,623 fans at the WFCU Centre.
This was the first of four regular-season matchups between these two OHL foes, and if history is any indication, it won’t be the last time these teams go down to the wire. Just ask Spitfires captain Liam Greentree, now in his fourth season and no stranger to the intensity of this matchup.
“If you ask me, I think the biggest rivalry in the OHL is us and Kitchener,” Greentree said postgame. “Since I’ve been here, it’s been one upset after the other. We’ve got a lot more battles yet, (but) those are the games we need to close out.”
And he’s not wrong. This one had all the hallmarks of a classic: physical play, momentum swings, and just enough drama to leave a bitter taste in the mouths of the home team.
Windsor came out with purpose, controlling play through the first 40 minutes and limiting the Rangers to just eight shots-a defensive clinic considering Kitchener had two power plays over that span. The Spitfires leaned on structure and discipline, and it paid off with a 2-1 lead heading into the third. Greentree opened the scoring, and Ethan Belchetz added a power-play marker on Windsor’s lone man-advantage opportunity of the night.
“First two periods, to hold them to (eight) shots with two power plays, you’re doing the right things defensively,” said Spitfires head coach Greg Walters.
But the third period-and overtime-told a different story.
Windsor’s inability to lock it down late allowed Kitchener to claw back and eventually steal the extra point in overtime. It’s the kind of loss that stings a little more when you’ve done most things right for most of the night.
The Spitfires had the structure, the effort, and even the lead-twice. What they didn’t have was the finish.
Still, there’s no panic in the room. This was just round one of what promises to be a heated season series. And if this game was any indication, the next three meetings between these two clubs are must-watch hockey.