QUEBEC CITY P.Q. — A goal by Spitfires defenseman Ryan Ellis made the difference in the Windsor Spitfires 2-1 victory over the Kelowna Rockets in Memorial Cup action. With their victory, the Spitfires assured their presence in Thursday nights game against the loser of Wednesdays game between the Drummondville Voltigeurs and the Rimouski Oceanic. Tuesday nights game had different signification depending on whether or not you wear a Windsor or Kelowna sweater. Bob Boughner’s Spitfires knew full well that they didn’t play their best game in the first two contests. In Kelowna’s case, their two tournament victories send them directly to the tournament final. For Windsor, it was either win their game against Kelowna and earned a place in the tie-breaker game or they had to pack their bags and go home. The Spitfires had their first real chance to throw their power play unit on the ice but didn’t have any real scoring chance. On the other hand, Kelowna played very well, even if the game didn’t have any real signification for them. After a scoreless first period, Kelowna opened up the scoring during their second power play in the game. Kyle St. Denis deflected a Tyler Myers shot from the blueline beating Windsor goaltender Andrew Engelage glove side at 7:33 of the second period. Even though they conceded the first goal of the game, the Spitfires continued to put pressure on the Rockets defense by getting several good scoring opportunities. Finally, the line of Taylor Hall, Adam Henrique, and Greg Nemisz scored Windsor first goal when Hall, one of top prospects who is eligible for the 2010 NHL entry draft, scored the tying goal at 16:21. The goal quickly changed the momentum to Windsor and Boughner’s team played a much better game the rest of the period. Despite the goal, Kelowna’s Mark Guggenberger was very solid in net for the first two periods making 19 saves on 20 shots. Ryan Ellis revived Windsor hopes of extending their stay in Rimouski with the Spitfires second goal of the game at 4:13 of the third period when Ellis’s laser shot from just inside the blueline to beat the Windsor netminder with what would become the game winning goal. Kelowna played brilliantly in killing off consecutive five-on-three power plays and one five-on-four disadvantage. Seeing Kelowna’s Cody Almond slide all over the ice in blocking four consecutive shots during the two man advantage was inspiring. Colin Long also got into the act by blocking another shot during the five-on-four. The Spitfires best line in the game was without a doubt Taylor Hall’s line. With the Spitfires leading 2-1, Hall missed an excellent chance to score an insurance goal on a breakaway, but the Kelowna netminder made a great save on him to keep his team in the game. After that attempt Windsor played the rest of the game just trying to preserve their lead. Windsor will now play against the loser of Wednesday game between the two Quebec Major Junior Hockey League teams. Shots on goal: Windsor 34, Kelowna 17 Power play: Windsor 0-4, Kelowna 1-6 Three stars of the game: 1-Taylor Hall (WND) 2- Kyle St. Denis (Kel.) 3-Adam Henrique (WND.) Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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