Greg Walters is focused on the future and not the past.

Breadcrumb Trail Links

SportsHockeyWindsor SpitfiresLocal Sports

Article content

Windsor Spitfires’ head coach Greg Walters is focused on the future and not the past.

On Saturday, Walters knew his past would be a topic of discussion when the Spitfires headed to Owen Sound to face the Attack. The match came just days after the one-year anniversary of Walters being fired by the Attack after a verbal confrontation with a team employee.

Walters has never shied away from acknowledging the mistake of his actions and accepted the league suspension for the remainder of the 2023-24.

Article content

He’s returned to the bench reinvigorated and so have the Spitfires, who after finishing 19th in the 20-team league a year ago, boast the league’s best record after Saturday’s 4-1 win over the Attack before a crowd of 2,710 at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre.

“Quality is a word used very commonly in our organization,” Spitfires’ captain Liam Greentree said. “Our goal for this year is to produce high quality with everything we do, on and off the ice. We are buying into a great system that’s been put in place for us and it’s clearly been working.”

Windsor allowed the most goals in the league last year, but the club has yielded just four goals in the last three games. In fact, the Spitfires have held the opposition to two goals or less in six of the team’s 10 games.

“They’ve all bought into defence first and not giving up odd-man rushes and you really hear it from them on the bench,” Walter said. “It’s a great feeling and led by our leadership group.”

At 8-1-1-0 this season, Windsor not only has the best record in the league, but seven of the team’s first 10 games have been on the road, which is more than 20 per cent of the club’s away games for the season.

Ryan “Pucks” Pyette on the OHL

OHL news and expert analysis from Ryan Pyette.

By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.

Article content

Article content

“It’s a credit to these kids,” said Walters, whose team has a league-best road record of 5-1-1-0. “We’re a big team and there’s no fear. They win 50-50 pucks and they’re all battling for each other.”

After a scoreless opening period, the Attack opened the scoring on a goal by Antonio Tersigni, but the Spitfires needed just over four minutes to grab a 3-1 lead on goals by Owen Outwater, Jack Nesbitt and Liam Greentree.

“Our guys got together after the first and played an exceptional, one of our best periods, in the second period,” said Walters, whose team outshot the Attack 23-6 in the middle period and 42-25 overall.

Once with the lead, Greentree said the Spitfires wanted to lock the game down for Walters.

“Yeah, we knew the circumstances for (Walters) and he’s treated us so well and we really wanted to get that one for him and he was pretty excited for the outcome,” Greentree said.

Greentree closed it with an empty-net goal for his first multi-goal game of the season after scoring 36 last season. He leads the league with 23 points, with 11 points coming in the last three games, and also leads the league with 17 assists.

Article content

“I mean, I think I’ve always had good playmaking abilities and it’s shown in the last eight games, but it’s obviously nice to get a couple (goals) in a game,” Greentree said.

As for Walters, there were some friendly faces on hand in Owen Sound, but he’s just enjoying a a chance to be behind the bench again and continue to see his young team grow.

“Obviously, a lot of good friends and people there that came to support me,” Walters said. “I’ve moved on (from last season) and I couldn’t be happier. I’m in a great place in my life.”

The Spitfires return home on Thursday to face the Attack at the WFCU Centre. Game time is 7:05 p.m.

jpparker@postmedia.com

twitter.com/winstarparker

Game Summary

Saturday Result

Spitfires 4 Attack 1

Windsor 0 3 1 – 4

Owen Sound 0 1 0 – 1

First period: No scoring. Penalty: Woodall W (cross checking) 2:08.

Second period: 1. Owen Sound Tersigni 3 (unassisted) 1:12, 2. Windsor, Outwater 3 (Gaymes, Nesbitt) 5:02, 3. Windsor, Nesbitt 5 (Greentree, Protas) 6:52 (pp), 4. Windsor, Greentree 5 (Woodall, Manzo) 9:40. Penalties: Walton W (fighting), Hookey OS (instigator, fighting, misconduct) 5:25, Cormier OS (high sticking) 15:00.

Third period: 5. Windsor, Greentree 6 (Cristoforo) 19:40 (en). Penalties: Gaymes W (hooking) 4:07, Cristoforo W (roughing), Tersigni OS (roughing) 9:38, Outwater W (tripping) 13:35. 

Game stats – SOG – Windsor 8 23 11 – 42 Owen Sound 9 6 10 – 25 Goal (shots-saves) – Windsor: Costanzo (W,8-0-0-0) (25-24). Owen Sound: George (L,2-4-1-1) (41-38). Power play (goals-chances) – Windsor 1-2. Owen Sound 0-3. Referees: David Elford (11) and Kevin McArthur (47). Linesmen: Devon Driscoll (55) and Scott Lawson (98). Att.: 2,710 at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre.

Article content

Share this article in your social network