Windsor Spitfires enjoyed their first playoff hockey taste in two seasons. On Thursday, they started the first round of the 2024-25 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) series with a major statement in Game 1.
It’s been two seasons since Spitfires entered the playoffs, three seasons if you watch the playoffs wins. Last season, they missed it completely, ranking 10th in the Western Conference. In 2022-23, they entered the first seed, but were swept by the eighth seed Kitchener Rangers in the first round. Their last playoff victory was June 13, 2022, against Hamilton (now Brantford) Bulldogs in Game 6 of the 2021-22 OHL Championship. Now they have a second seed, facing the seventh seed greyhound, they don’t take it for granted. The weak won’t make life easy, but the depth and drive of Spitfires are fully restored. These are four gains from the WFCU Center.
Spitfires’ depth shines
Throughout the season, Spitfires head coach Greg Walters stressed that a strong defense can lead to a good offense. The victory will come in 60 minutes of the game. That’s the case Thursday.
After the puck fell, Spitfires went to work. They performed well in the Greyhound area and made life difficult for goalkeeper Nolan Lalonde. In just two minutes, Carson Woodall opened the score, followed by Cole Davis with a 2-0 lead and a steady start.
Liam Greentree (Los Angeles Kings) led 3-0 earlier this second time. However, the greyhound’s reaction was two, including Owen Allard. Before the end of this period, Noah Morneau returned to a two-goal lead. In Game 3, Morneau, Greenree and Luke McNamara all scored in five minutes as Spitfires played 7-2 with a 1,7-2 edge. The final shot was ignited 37-16.
From the start, Walters rolled three lines, with each of the top 9 having at least 1 point. Depth is their important tool. After the game, Moreno said that when the team is focused on the top line, everyone else can strengthen.
“The team will try to shut down Greentree and (ILYA) Protas,” he said. “It will be a lot of teams’ game plan. That’s probably what SOO wants to do. When we can score points across the entire lineup, our level of defense is so dangerous. If we get points from everyone, that’s big.”
Walters has been the secondary score this season. He said several players had impressive outings.
“It’s amazing, the next man’s mindset,” he said. “(AJ) Spellacy’s body speed is physically, Davis’s goal is great. McNamara has done a great job. I think (Jack) Nesbitt is one of our best players, competing for 200 feet and looking good.”
Spitfires’ trio continues to produce
While the depth is sparkling, the Morneau line (two goals), Greentree (two goals, two assists) and the prospect of the Washington Capitals protas (four assists) scored another 10 points. Greyhounds tried to contain them, but failed.
While Greenree and Protas have received attention in most of the season’s spotlight, Morneau has taken the most of the opportunity. He said their talent level allowed him to relax a little on the ice, which helped him play.
“They are such great players and they’re easy to play,” he said. “The two best people I know have also come a long way. Especially for me, not afraid to make mistakes. It’s so cool to play with them and see what they do on the ice.”
Morneau is the 15th round pick for the 2020 Spitfires and became a club in 2022-23. After 13 goals and 34 points last season, he exploded with 32 goals and 73 points in 68 games this season. Walters said the 20-year-old was a gem.
“He’s everything about this team,” Walters said. “He’s everything about me as a coach. He’s the hardest worker we work hardest, paying attention to details, blocking shots, enough to play games with them, and he’s so reliable on defense that it makes Protas and Greentree more offensive… It’s fun to coach that kid.”
Greentree has been used in Protas for most of the season, except for a few games where Walters separates the duo. He said the three also have a big bond and he is proud of his game with them.
“The bond we created on the ice and the whole season was special,” he said. “It’s a line that I’m very proud of. We did a great job together.”
Making two seasons of competition
While the 2022 OHL Championship is great, the only remaining player is forward Ryan Abraham. The next season, players like Greentree, Morneau and others join the roster. They are part of the first round of sweeping in the hands of the wanderers. Then, last season, they completely missed the playoffs. This means Thursday is two seasons.
Related: Spitfires Eliminated from OHL Playoff Competition 2023-24
From the moment the puck drops, you can say that Spitfires has a lot of suppressed energy. They want to enter this game with everything they have. Morneau is his last season and he says they have to try their best to use their energy.
“It’s so fun, there’s a lot of energy on both sides of the ice and on both sides of the building,” he said. “I’m really excited. A lot of nerve energy. We haven’t been in the playoffs for two seasons. I tried to control that and just bring that energy into the excitement. I think I’m doing a great job, I think our team is doing a great job.”
Thursday night at WFCU Center, Windsor #spitfires Seeing 11 players scored at least 1 point in 7-2 beating SOO #greyhounds In their first game #ohl The first round series. The second game went on Saturday. pic.twitter.com/3uyxx2i3hu
– Dave Jewell (@DaveJewellohl) March 28, 2025
Greentree has been the team leader since the sweep and was appointed captain last season. It’s hard to talk about it without leaving a sour smell on the playoffs. But it all leads to this vibrant moment, he says they are eager to move on.
“I’m a little nervous but very excited to get into this,” Greenentree said. “On the board and put forward the lead with three goals… It’s a huge game for us. (We) have to keep going. Our team wants to go far and (eliminate) these guys as quickly as possible. Our plan is to go four rows. It’s going to be tough, but games like this really help us.”
It’s just a game
On paper, the game should have been done. Spitfires uses its top line, depth and defense to give the Greyhound problem throughout 60 minutes. The visitor worked hard and pressed forward, but there was no answer. Without Laronde, it could have reached double digits. But Spitfires can’t be forgotten – it’s just a game.
Whether it’s Spitfires winning 7-2 or 2-1, or the Greyhound who won with the same score, the results are still the same. This is a 1-0 series. Walters said they knew this well and expected the visitors to get answers in the second game.
“Our guys know,” he said. “It’s a tough game…their coaches are good, competitive, hard work, and, as you can see, they never give up. It’s probably a long series.”
The performance that dominated scoreboards and shooting was a great start and was what Spitfires wanted. Greentree said they were eager to move on because nothing was done.
“We don’t want to stop right now,” he said. “It’s a game that sets the tone for the rest of the series. We put them on the ground. The 7-2 was a huge game for us. I’m excited about what we can do in the next three games, but obviously it’s not over yet.”
Spitfires knows what they can do when they play for a full 60 minutes. It’s obvious that they are their talented team. However, the Greyhounds won five consecutive games this season and stabbed them on Spitfires’ team each time. They didn’t go anywhere until the fourth victory buzzer rang. Game 2 is on Saturday night at the WFCU Center.
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