The Windsor Spitfires overcame a familiar hurdle on Friday night, securing a hard-fought 3-2 victory over the Erie Otters at Erie Insurance Arena. The win completed a rare season sweep of both road games in Erie, a feat the club had not accomplished in 13 seasons, dating back to the 2011-12 campaign.
Cristoforo Shines in Forward Role
With a full lineup at his disposal, head coach Greg Walters didn't hesitate to redeploy a key player. Fourth-year defenceman Anthony Cristoforo was moved back to forward, joining Jack Nesbitt and Ethan Belchetz on a line. The decision paid immediate dividends.
"About two minutes," Walters said when asked how long it took him to make that lineup decision. The trio combined for all three Windsor goals in the first period, providing the early cushion the team needed. Cristoforo netted a pair of goals, while Belchetz scored the other and added an assist. Nesbitt contributed two helpers.
"It was nice and they had instant success and enjoy playing with each other," Walters remarked. This was Cristoforo's fifth game on the wing, a stretch in which he has compiled six goals and nine points.
A Challenging Road Venue
Despite building a 3-0 lead, the Spitfires had to battle to the finish line to secure the two points. The close scoreline came just eight days after Windsor's most dominant offensive performance of the season, an eight-goal rout of the Otters on home ice.
This contrast underscored the persistent challenge Erie's arena presents for the Spitfires, who make two annual trips to Pennsylvania. Walters acknowledged the Otters' elevated play at home. "They were physical and tried to get us off of our game," he said. "We let it happen a couple of times. We've had success this year (in Erie), but their home record is a lot better. So, I don't think it's just us (that struggles)."
Searching for Line Chemistry Continues
While the Cristoforo-Nesbitt-Belchetz line has found its rhythm, the coaching staff is still working to optimize other combinations. Against Erie, Liam Greentree centered a line with Alex Pharand, and Nathan Villeneuve played between Cole Davis and A.J. Spellacy. Neither of those units found the scoresheet.
For the time being, Walters appears set on keeping an all-rookie line of Johnny McLaughlin, Beks Makysh, and Caden Harvey together as he evaluates his options. "We're still trying to find chemistry," Walters admitted. "We're fighting things a bit, but we'll get through. We're still playing around and (we'll continue) until we find something we like."
The victory on January 16, 2026, marks a significant and hard-earned milestone for the Spitfires, breaking a long-standing pattern of difficulty in Erie and showcasing the versatility of players like Anthony Cristoforo in driving the team's success.
