It wasn’t close to an ideal start, but an ability to rebound will be a positive coming out of their first road trip of the season.
After a disappointing effort on Sunday afternoon in Sarnia, the Soo Greyhounds wrapped up their first road trip of the Ontario Hockey League regular season on Monday in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Windsor Spitfires at the WFCU Centre in Windsor.
After what coach John Dean called a “poor” opening period, the Greyhounds bounced back in the final two periods, something that will stand out for him.
“We responded in such a long road trip and played a really good 40 for where our team is at right now,” Dean said. “We showed we’re a resilient team. I don’t think we’re where we need to be, but I’m pretty impressed with the character, especially after a tough night last night.”
With the team grabbing three of a possible six points on the trip, Dean said it will stand out because of the length of the trip and having played Wednesday night at home prior to leaving Thursday.
“Especially to battle like that in the last game of a long road trip is pretty impressive,” Dean said.
Dean added that the game could be looked back at as a moral victory.
“I’m watching guys walk by me right now and they don’t seem too happy about the loss, which is a great thing,” Dean said. “They’re pretty upset. They thought they had an opportunity to get two points. The victory for me as a coach is watching how competitive these guys are and how much they care.”
Some adjustments following the opening period led to a better effort in the second period and beyond for the visitors.
Dean said the message was a clear one as well ahead of the second period.
“The messaging was, it’s their team and they need to find a way to dig out of this first period slump and you’ve got to find a way to hold each other accountable and motivate each other,” Dean said. “
Watson added that “there’s definitely some positives to take from tonight for sure.”
The veteran forward also said playing more within their structure made a difference in the final two periods heading into overtime.
“The first period, we were a little sloppy and playing away from the things that make us successful,” Watson said. “We got back inside our structure in the second and third and played within our foundation.”
After a scoreless first period, Windsor opened the scoring in the opening minute of the second as Jacob Maillet converted a pass in tight from Ethan Miedema.
The Spitfires appeared to take a 2-0 lead later in the period. After getting stopped initially by Ivanov, Jackson McLlwain swiped at the rebound, which beat Ivanov but didn’t get over the goalline.
Shortly after the McLlwain chance, the Greyhounds tied the game at one thanks to a power play goal.
In the slot, Jordan D’Intino one-timed a pass from Watson on the left win past Windsor goaltender Joey Costanzo midway through the period.
Windsor took a 2-1 lead just over five minutes into the third period when Matthew Maggio jumped on a loose puck in the neutral zone after the puck redirected off the boards in the Windsor zone. The veteran forward skated into the Sault zone on a break and beat Ivanov stick side to give the home team the lead.
The Greyhounds evened the score at two midway through the period thanks to a power play goal from Watson.
While on a two-man advantage, Watson took a pass in the left faceoff circle from Bryce McConnell-Barker in the high slot. Watson hesitated before beating Costanzo short side at 10:14.
After the Greyhounds couldn’t capitalize on a power play early in the extra frame, Windsor won it on a power play of their own after Maggio drew a penalty as the Windsor penalty was expiring.
With Windsor up a man, Alex Christopoulos beat Ivanov in close after Maggio tried to take a shot from the left faceoff circle, but his stick broke and the puck found its way to Christopoulos in close, who then
In on both Sault goals, Watson finished the day with a goal and an assist for the Greyhounds.
In his first start of the season, Ivanov made 23 saves in the contest.
“Sam was fantastic,” Dean said. “He gave us an opportunity to win that hockey game. Both of our goalies have done an unbelievable job of getting us to settle down and giving us an opportunity to come back and win a hockey game.”
Maggio had a goal and a pair of assists for Windsor in the win while Costanzo made 35 saves.
With the win, the Spitfires remain unbeaten in regulation time with a 3-0-1-0 record.
The Greyhounds fall to 2-3-1-0 with the loss heading into a homestand that begins next weekend.
The Greyhounds will return to action on Friday night game against the Peterborough Petes before hosting the Barrie Colts the following night.
Veteran forward Tyler Savard missed Monday’s contest after receiving a major penalty for goaltender interference in Sunday’s loss to Sarnia. As of Monday evening, the OHL had not announced a suspension for the Sault forward.