The Windsor Spitfires are left to ponder a painful collapse after surrendering a two-goal lead in the final seven minutes of regulation and ultimately falling 3-2 in overtime to the Saginaw Spirit on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at the Dow Event Center.
A Game That Slipped Away
The Spitfires seemed firmly in control, leading 2-0 early in the third period. Caden Harvey had given Windsor a 1-0 lead through forty minutes, and star forward Liam Greentree extended the advantage just seconds into the final frame. However, the Saginaw Spirit mounted a furious comeback, scoring twice with one coming via an extra attacker to force overtime, where they completed the stunning reversal.
"We dominated the game," said a frustrated Spitfires head coach Greg Walters. "The shots were 40-20 and you just have to find a way to get that third (goal) and we had a ton of chances." Walters pointed to the team's power play, which went 0-for-4, as a key factor in the loss.
Spirit's Goalie Stymies Windsor Again
A significant portion of the credit for the Spirit's victory, and their season success against Windsor, goes to goaltender Stepan Shurygin. Shurygin was named the game's first star after making 38 saves, continuing his dominance over the Spitfires on home ice. In three games in Saginaw this season, he has stopped 111 of 117 shots for a remarkable .949 save percentage.
The loss marked the fourth time in six meetings this season that the Spirit have beaten Windsor, including two victories in extra time. While Saginaw battles for a Western Conference playoff spot, the result was a missed opportunity for the Spitfires, who had collected 13 of a possible 14 points in their previous seven games.
Newcomer Fibigr Makes Immediate Impact
One positive for Windsor was the debut of newly acquired defenceman Jakub Fibigr. The 19-year-old, obtained in a trade with Brampton last Wednesday, joined the team after helping Czechia win a silver medal at the World Junior Hockey Championship in Minnesota.
Paired on the top unit with Anthony Cristoforo, the NHL Seattle Kraken prospect was steady in his first outing, recording an assist on Greentree's goal and finishing the game with a plus-one rating. "He was good, real good," Walters said of Fibigr's performance. "Solid, ready, steady and everything we thought."
No Time to Dwell with Bulldogs Up Next
The Spitfires have no time to lament the defeat, as they face a quick turnaround against the league's top team. Windsor hosts the OHL-leading Brantford Bulldogs at the WFCU Centre on Sunday at 4:05 p.m.
The challenge is a welcome one for players like second-year forward Ethan Belchetz, who is eager for the matchup. "I can't wait," Belchetz said, referencing Windsor's 4-3 shootout win in Brantford back on October 4. "Last time we played them was just kind of a preview for me. I can't wait for two big dogs to go at it." The Spitfires will need to shore up their late-game execution quickly to have a chance against the powerhouse Bulldogs.
