Farewell To The Joe Game.(Photo courtesy the Windsor Spitfires)Farewell To The Joe Game.(Photo courtesy the Windsor Spitfires)
Windsor

Spitfires Break Spirit 3-2 at the Joe

Sean Day pulled off a natural hat trick, including the game winner, as the Windsor Spitfires beat the Saginaw Spirit in overtime 3-2 Sunday afternoon at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit.

The game was a special contest scheduled as part of Farewell at the Joe, a season-long celebration of Joe Louis Arena as it hosts its final year of Detroit Red Wings hockey.  The Wings will move to Little Caesars Arena next fall.  "The Joe" has hosted NHL, junior and college hockey since its opening in 1979 and was home to the former Detroit Junior Red Wings, which later became the Plymouth Whalers and now, the Flint Firebirds.  3,189 paid to see the game at Joe Louis Arena Sunday.

The Spits had a big comeback effort in the contest, down 2-0 to Saginaw through the first 40 minutes of play.  The Spirit scored first at 18:09 in the first on a Matthew Kreis goal, his fourth of the season.  Saginaw added a second goal at 17:10 in the second period thanks a goal from Filip Hronek.

Once the third period began, it was all Windsor.  Day picked up his first goal of the afternoon on a two-man advantage at 15:36.  The Spits were still on the power play 21 seconds later when Day lit the lamp again, tying the game and forcing the extra period.  The winner, and the hat trick, came into play at 1:26 into overtime.  Julius Nattinen had an assist on all three Windsor goals.

The Spitfires continue their long road trip Thursday night when they visit the Barrie Colts.  The Spirit host the Sarnia Sting Thursday.

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