Yes, from what it seems the Soo Greyhounds lost last night against a big and tough opponent who were jacked with their new teammates. The Windsor Spitfires used their size to stifle the Hounds from getting quality shots in close to goalie Xavier Medina.

Once again the Hounds gave up the first goal; and then another, before regrouping and clawing their way back. Once tied at 2 goals, the Hounds gave up the go ahead for Windsor and the Spits added two more including an empty netter to win 5-2.

The Hounds played good in the first but the problem was solving the big forwards and defense and getting good quality chances in tight. The two goals the Hounds registered both came from the hash marks; one from Tye Kartye on a beauty of a wrist shot and the same from Cole MacKay off the draw from the circle. That goal was a shorthanded marker.

In an unusual twist to OHL hockey these days; there were 4 fights in the game. The interesting thing was that 7 of the 8 participants were rookies. Hounds rookies, Caeden Carlisle, Justin Cloutier, Ethan Montroy, and Marco Mignosa must be pissed about something. Maybe these kids are pissed and frustrated about not being able to go to school and see their friends or not being able to perform in front of their fans; who knows, but it is definitely out of character.

Playing extremely well last night was Russian D man Kirill Kudryavtsev. He not only was strong on the boards, but he showed his puck handling skills and skating. With about 30 games under his belt, he is showing us why Kyle Raftis and the European scouts were so high on this kid.

On a few occasions last night I witnessed the Hounds standing around in a box formation waiting for Windsor to make the play. It was especially noticeable during a stretch in the third period where the teams were at even strength and there were 5 Hounds watching as if they were killing a penalty. I think they could have been caught and were tired and needed a line change because as soon as they cleared the puck, they all raced for the bench.

Both goalies played very well and Tucker was left out to dry on a couple of the Spits goals. Let’s hope todays game and bad blood boils over and the Hounds can exact some revenge.

The investigation has concluded as all 21 staff members at the Memorial Gardens have been interviewed and there was indeed a hockey game last night.

Game Day Tale of the Tape

WINDSOR SPITFIRES

Coach Marc Savard

GM Bill Bowler

Record 15-9-2-2

The Spitfires will not be changing their game plan today as it was very efficient last night. They will try and keep the Hounds on the outside and be stuck like glue on star Hounds players like Tye Kartye and Rory Kerins.

In net, I would come back with Xavier Medina even though it is two games in less than 24 hours; If I were coach I would want to sweep and go home with the 4 points. I am sure Marc would want to give his newly acquired netminder Mathias Onuska some ice time, but I don’t think today is the day.

Factors to win will be Wyatt Johnson, Andrew Perrott, and Xavier Onuska.

(2:00 Update): Mathias Onuska will get the start.

SOO GREYHOUNDS

Coach John Dean

GM Kyle Raftis

Record 18-11-2

If the Hounds want the win today they are going to have to get the puck to the net when options are limited and then crowd the goal. A garbage goal is a goal. With a big strong Windsor team who has added a stud in Andrew Perrott, the Hounds can’t be as fancy as they are with other teams.

Winning the battles on the boards and going to the net are key.

The Hounds once again killed off all penalties last night and since coming back from the Christmas break have killed off 14 straight and I am sure the coaching staff are very happy with that.

For a Hounds win, players like Tanner Dickinson and Bryce McConnell-Barker are going to have to use their size and make life difficult for the Windsor goalie.

Marco Mignosa will not play today as per his instigator fighting major in the last 5 minutes of the game last night and rookie Landen Hookey will be in his spot.

(2:00pm Update): I can’t for the life of me understand the rules as I looked in the rule book, but apparently Marco will play and out of the lineup will be Ethan Montroy who has an upper body injury (possibly as a result of his fight). The good news is Landen does get to play.

** I had a great chat with Sault native and co-owner of Kingsville Brewery Marty Turco (Dallas Stars) today and the full video interview will published on Tues or Wednesday**

If you click the link above; Soo residents will get a special $5 flat rate delivery to their door. 

Go Hounds Go !!