The Soo Greyhounds tonight will need to play a full 60 minutes as they will be facing a much improved and hot Windsor Spitfires club.

The last time the two teams met, the Hounds edged the Spits 4-3 in Windsor. Make no doubt about it; this game will have playoff atmosphere as only 1 point separates the two teams and Windsor has been hot winning 4 games in a row including a win over the London Knights.

Goaltending has been key during this run as Xavier Medina is back between the pipes after an injury and sits 4th in the league with a low 2.71 GAA and has stopped 87 out of the last 90 shots sent his way.

It has been 7 days since the Hounds had any action and I am sure that one of the main focuses in practice during this time was the Penalty Kill as it has cost the Dogs more than a few games. Let’s hope the Hounds have figured out what they were doing wrong and/or stay out of the box completely.

World Juniors have gobbled up Hounds Ryan O’Rourke and Tanner Dickinson, and Windsor has lost the services of it’s captain Will Cuylle. 

In addition to the above; the Hounds are still without Tyler Savard (son of Windsor coach Marc), and Kalyvn Watson. 

This game is going to be interesting for sure.

 

Tale of the Tape

WINDSOR SPITFIRES

Coach Marc Savard

GM Bill Bowler

Record 12-8-2-2

Won 6 out of last 10 and currently riding a 4 game win streak.

Added some size and experience acquiring 6’1″ players Jacob Maillet  and Nathan Ribau.

Up front Kyle McDonald (26 pts), and Wyatt Johnston (39 pts) will lead the way with their Captain Will Cuylle at the World Juniors.

Xavier Medina is playing playoff hockey right now and will be a puzzle the Hounds will need to solve.

 

SOO GREYHOUNDS

 

Coach John Dean

GM Kyle Raftis

Record 14-9-1

Hounds will rely on Rory Kerins, Tye Kartye, and Cole McKay to lead the way.

Andrew Gibson will get his first taste of the O, and quite often these kids make a big statement in their first game; the Hounds will be hoping for that.

Tucker Tynan should get his second start and with a week to get to know his teammates and billets; he should be more comfortable between the pipes and this will be great news. His first game ended with a 5-4 loss to North Bay, but all involved agree he played a very good game.

If the Hounds can stay out of the box and play a fast forechecking game; the Hounds could leave Windsor with 2 points.

 

GO HOUNDS GO !!