Aaron Luchuk of the Windsor Spitfires. (Photo courtesy of Terry Wilson via OHL Images)Aaron Luchuk of the Windsor Spitfires. (Photo courtesy of Terry Wilson via OHL Images)
Windsor

Spitfires Fight Back, Stun Firebirds 4-3

The Windsor Spitfires scored three goals in the last eight minutes of regulation, then beat the Flint Firebirds 4-3 in overtime Sunday.

The Spits overcame a 3-0 deficit to come back and force the extra period before 4,966 at the WFCU Centre.  At 88 points, the Spitfires remain in fifth place in the OHL Western Conference, but are still within spitting distance of home-ice advantage in the first round of the OHL playoffs with three games left in the regular season.

Everett Clark started the scoring off for the Firebirds, striking within the first two minutes of the first period.  Each team had one power play opportunity in that period and the score was 1-0 Flint after one.  Nicholas Caamano scored both of his goals in the second period of the game, contributing to a 3-0 lead for the Firebirds after 40 minutes of play.

Windsor then began to chip away in the third period, with Sean Day averting a shutout with a goal at 12:36 in the period on the extra-man advantage.  22 seconds later, Julius Nattinen cut the Flint lead further with a goal, and he would strike again soon after with another goal.  This tied up the game and forced the overtime period.

Aaron Luchuk scored the overtime winner for Windsor.  Michael DiPietro faced only 22 Flint shots in goal for the Spitfires, turning away 19 of them.  Garrett Forrest had 32 saves in goal for Flint.

The Spitfires head to Sarnia Wednesday night to face the Sting.

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