This was not the same Spits team which won the Memorial Cup just last year, and had traded away several of their better players in what seemed to be a rebuilding year.
Jane crutched her way around the arena, though we did our best to get seats involving minimal stairs - too bad the bar-rail spots at the restaurant are reserved for season ticket holders!
The Spitfires scored early, and then killed off a two-man disadvantage, before the Sting tied things up later in the first. The game remained 1-1 for most of the match, but Sarnia was outshooting the home team 40-12 into the third period......only the heroics of goaltender (and eventual 1st Star) Mike DiPietro kept us in the game!
The decisive moment came on a penalty kill. Sarnia's star forward Jordan Kyrou was heading up ice with the puck as the last man back - a forward playing defence on the power play - and was cleanly stripped at his own blue line by forechecker Chris Playfair, who walked in on a short breakaway and beat Fazio five hole. The home crowd went nuts!
Windsor added another goal late in the third, disputed but upheld on a high deflection, as the Spits hung on for a 3-1 victory despite being outshot 47-22 by the visitors. More importantly, they tied the series at 2-2 before the teams head back to Sarnia for a pivotal Game 5.
Final attendance for the game was apparently 4,001 - we like to think that our decision to go made the difference.....after all, it sounds WAY more supportive than 3,999 fans!
Go Spits Go!
Warm ups from the restaurant
Off the draw
Douglas with a chance!
A little rough stuff after the whistle!
A rare break for DiPietro
The Sting attack!
Defensive zone faceoff
Indoor blimp!
The home crowd erupts!
Windsor takes a 3-1 lead....once the review has been confirmed!
The game's 1st Star
At the lonely end of the rink
Spits win!
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