3 Takes From Firebirds, Hounds, Spirit

As the 2022-23 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Playoffs start peaking over the horizon (early April), the Windsor Spitfires are starting to realize the potential they envisioned at January’s trade deadline. After returning home for a three-game home stand to end January, the club got two veterans back this past weekend and continued their push to a conference title.

To say January was a rollercoaster would be putting it mildly. After multiple trades, multiple injuries, a five-game road trip, and a three-game home stand, they’ve come out near the top of the OHL’s Western Conference battered, bruised, and eager to keep fighting. Nothing was going to come easy and that lesson continued this past weekend. However, getting two veterans back was a big spark as they begin to regain a full lineup. Here are three takeaways from the weekend.

3 Takeaways from Firebirds, Greyhounds, and Spirit

Weekend results:

Wed., Feb. 8 – 9-3 win at Flint Firebirds
Thurs., Feb. 9 – 5-4 OT win vs. Soo Greyhounds
Sat., Feb. 11 – 5-2 win at Saginaw Spirit

3. Onuska and Costanzo Provide 1-2 Punch in Goal

All season the Spitfires have been hoping that veteran goaltender Mathias Onuska would be their guy for a return to the OHL Championship (lost in Game 7 in 2021-22). With 17-year-old Joey Costanzo playing well as his backup, it all looked solid… until it wasn’t.

Related: Bulldogs Win 2022 OHL Championship After Game 7 Win over Spitfires

Costanzo consistently performed well, building trust with head coach Marc Savard, while injuries and inconsistency hampered Onuska’s bid to regain his 2021-22 form. In early January, the veteran suffered an injury and the youngster took over. However, despite his success, the club needs both over the long term.

Fortunately, the Spitfires got good news on Thursday as Onuska made his return. Despite allowing three early goals, he settled in and made 29 saves for the win. Following the game, Savard said he didn’t blame the veteran for the early deficit.

“I called a timeout (after the third goal) and we had a bit of a chat,” he said. “Onuska’s first game back, I thought he was sharp and for us to hang him out to dry there early was disrespectful to me and I let them know.”

Onuska’s had an unfortunate run with injuries dating back to late last season. However, he said on Thursday that he’s “back to normal” and feels like his 2021-22 self. Now, he and…