Spitfires into round two
They have already gone from worst to first in the West Division of the Ontario Hockey League in the space of a single season. And following an opening round conquest of the Soo Greyhounds, the Windsor Spitfires are into the second round of the Western Conference playoffs against the Kitchener Rangers.
Windsor and Kitchener split the four games with each other during the regular season. The Spitfires topped the West Division with 96 points from a record of 45-17-6. The Rangers, meanwhile, finished second to the London Knights in the Midwest Division despite putting up 100 points from a record of 47-15-6.
Windsor, which upended Sault Ste. Marie in five games in the opening round, has had injury issues to key players since the outset of the playoffs. But the Spitfires — who are well coached by Greg Walters and assistants Casey Torres and Kris Newbury — showed grit, grind and dogged determination in out playing the Greyhounds in Round One.
To be sure, the Spitfires have the skill and ability to go head to head with the Rangers of Kitchener. Windsor has a roster that has been carefully constructed by astute general manager Billy Bowler and his scouting director Frank Evola.
There are those who give Kitchener an edge at the goalie position with overage Jackson Parsons tending the twine. But after a sluggish finish to the regular season, Spitfires goalie Joey Costanzo regained form in the playoffs and was a standout against the Greyhounds.
What will decide the series against Kitchener? If it comes to home ice and the Spitfires do not lose at the WFCU Centre, then the series is theirs.
If only it were that simple.
Meanwhile, Games 1 and 2 are at the WFCU, tonight and Saturday.
photo of Joey Costanzo by Bob Davies