Playoff hockey can be a strange beast. During the 2021-22 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) season, the Western Conference’s top-seeded Windsor Spitfires used a lethal offence to frustrate their opponents. In their first two games of the playoffs, though, it’s been their depth and defence that have stolen the show as the club has grabbed a 2-0 series lead over the eighth-seeded Sarnia Sting.
When you lead the league in goals scored (305) and are the highest-scoring Spitfires’ team since the 2009 and 2010 Memorial Cup rosters, other areas take a back seat from the spotlight. In the first two games of this Western Conference first-round match, though, it’s the club’s depth and defence that have really come to the forefront. General manager Bill Bowler made some bold moves in all areas before the January trade deadline and those have paid off in spades. While stars like Wyatt Johnston (Dallas Stars) and Will Cuylle (New York Rangers) have been dynamite, others are stepping up in a big way.
Let’s dive into the first two games…
Onuska and Gaudreau Battle in Games 1 and 2
On paper, this is a series about two different teams. The Spitfires are all-around deadly but the younger Sting are hungry with strong goaltending. It’s lopsided on paper but you still have to play the games.
In Game 1, the Spitfires started newcomer Matt Onuska (acquired from the London Knights) and the Sting countered with San Jose Sharks‘ prospect Benjamin Gaudreau. While the home side peppered Gaudreau with 23 shots in the opening 40 minutes, Onuska saw just five in the same time. Being that quiet isn’t mentally easy but he found a way to stay focused. That’s all the club could ask of him.
Windsor Spitfires’ goaltender Matt Onuska earlier in 2021-22. (David Jewell / The Hockey Writers)
Fortunately, the Spitfires were able to give Onuska some support. Forwards Alex Christouplos (acquired from the North Bay Battalion) and James Jodoin, along with defenceman Andrew Perrott (Owen Sound…
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