The Windsor Spitfires are down 2-1 in the team's OHL first round playoff series after giving up a one goal lead late in the third period in the Game 3 match-up.
The Sarnia Sting scored two late goals and then scored in an empty net to beat the Spitfires 5-3 at the WFCU Centre on Tuesday night.
Windsor Spitfires forward Cole Purboo can't believe the game slipped away.
"Definitely a tough way to lose," says Purboo. "Kind of at a loss for words right now, kind of happened all so fast; just the details that we've got to tighten up, but I think we played a pretty good game overall."
The Windsor Spitfires host the Sarnia Sting in Game 3 of their first round OHL playoff series at the WFCU Centre on March 27, 2018. (Photo Tim Cornett/WindsorSpitfires.com)
The Spits had taken a 3-2 lead in the second period after a scoreless opening frame with goals from Purboo, Connor Corcoran and Daniel D'Amico.
Despite the Spits holding onto the lead late into the final minutes of the game, the Sting would score two goals within 1:27, firstly from Hugo Leufvenius and secondly from Jordan Ernst. Sean Josling would score in the empty net as the Spitfires pressed for the tying goal that put the game away as part of a three-point night for the winger — good enough to be named first star of the game.
Purboo was named the game's second star after scoring a goal and an assist while Sting blueliner Cam Dineen finished as third star after registering an assist and a +3 rating.
Corcoran was gutted after the loss.
"Obviously it hurts a lot. I mean we played a really good, I think, 55 minutes of that game. Just the end, it comes down to the details — if we fix those things I think we'll be fine," says Corcoran.
The Windsor Spitfires host the Sarnia Sting in Game 3 of their first round OHL playoff series at the WFCU Centre on March 27, 2018. (Photo Tim Cornett/WindsorSpitfires.com)
Also getting on the scoresheet for the Spits were Luke Boka and Thomas Stevenson with an assist each while Curtis Douglas finished with a pair of helpers.
Windsor Spitfires head coach Trevor Letowski feels his players were hard done by after putting in a solid effort against the Sting.
"Well it's hard to swallow because I thought our group played extremely hard," says Letowski. "Any time you give up a lead that late in a game it's tough especially, obviously, when the stakes are so high like — it's a real important swing game."
Michael DiPietro made 33 saves in the loss while Justin Fazio needed to make just 14 saves to grab the win in the Sting net.
The loss sets up a crucial Game 4 against the Sting at the WFCU Centre on Thursday night. Puck-drop is set for 7:05pm.