The Windsor Spitfires are heading back to the postseason - and they’re doing it with style, poise, and a little bit of history along the way.
Friday night’s win didn’t just secure a playoff berth for Windsor. It also locked in spots for the Kitchener Rangers and Flint Firebirds, with all three teams hitting the 71-point mark. That officially eliminated the Sarnia Sting from postseason contention in the Western Conference, as they now sit too far back in ninth to make up the ground.
For the Spitfires, this wasn’t just about clinching. It was about how they did it.
“We played the right way, we managed the puck and outshot them (38-16),” head coach Greg Walters said after the game. “Proud of the guys.”
And he should be. Windsor didn’t just control the scoreboard - they dominated the pace of play.
Outshooting a team by more than two-to-one is no small feat, especially in a game with playoff implications. That kind of puck management, discipline, and execution is exactly what you want to see as the postseason looms.
But the night wasn’t just big for the team. It was a milestone moment for forward Greentree, who continues to etch his name into Spitfires history.
His power-play goal in the second period didn’t just open the scoring - it marked his 300th career point with the club. That’s a number that carries weight in junior hockey, where careers are short and impact is measured in moments like these.
“Going to put that puck somewhere safe, that’s for sure,” Greentree said, smiling after the game.
You can’t blame him. Milestone goals like that don’t come around often, and when they do, you make sure the puck finds a place of honor - not just in a trophy case, but in a career that’s clearly been built on consistency and production.
It was also a special night for Costanzo, who’s been right there with Greentree through the highs and lows of their time in Windsor.
“(Greentree) and I have been through the thick and thin together,” Costanzo said. “I’m glad we could hit our milestones together.”
There’s a bond that forms between players who go through the grind of junior hockey side by side - long bus rides, tough losses, unforgettable wins. And when those shared experiences culminate in a playoff berth and a major individual milestone in the same night, it’s the kind of moment that sticks with you long after the final buzzer.
With the playoffs now officially on the horizon, the Spitfires are showing the kind of form that could make them a serious threat in the Western Conference. They’re getting timely scoring, sharp goaltending, and strong play from their leadership group. And when your veterans are hitting career milestones while still pushing the pace on the ice, that’s a sign your team is peaking at the right time.
Playoff hockey is coming to Windsor - and the Spitfires look ready for the moment.