The Windsor Spitifres rebounded from a tough set of games on Thanksgiving weekend, with a convincing 7-4 win over the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds on Thursday night. The game was held at the WFCU Centre, in front of 5,194 Ontario Hockey League fans.

PHOTO CREDIT - Chris Savard, OurHometown.ca

Windsor - October 11, 2012 - The Windsor Spitifres rebounded from a tough set of games on Thanksgiving weekend, with a convincing 7-4 win over the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds on Thursday night. The game was held at the WFCU Centre, in front of 5,194 Ontario Hockey League fans.

Colorado prospect Michael Clarke lead the way for the Spits with two goals and two assists. Overager Derek Schoenmakers had his best game in a Windsor uniform with two goals and an assist. Highly touted rookie Josh Ho Sang tallied his first goal of his OHL career on a nifty play in the second period.

“It was like a gift from heaven. It was right on my tape, right through some guys legs sliding. I don’t even know how Kerby got the pass through but it was unbelievable and I am really grateful to get the monkey off my back,” said Ho Sang after the game about his memorable goal.

Kerby Rychel got his team off to a solid start with a big blocked shot in the first 45 seconds of play in the game. That play shifted momentum and less than a minute later Schoenmakers notched his first of the night to give the home team an early 1-0 lead.

The Spits (4-3-0-2) jumped out to a commanding 4-1 lead but the Greyhounds (5-3-0-0) would not go down without a fight. With just three seconds remaining in the second, Darnell Nurse beat Jaroslav Pavelka with a long knuckle puck to bring the visitors within two. Jarred McCann beat Pavelka with a long snapshot about 7 minutes into the third to make it a one-goal game.

Midway through the third it appeared that the Spits had regained their two goal lead as the red light went on during a goal mouth scramble. After video review, it was ruled not to be a goal.

Rychel scored the eventual game winner when he broke down the right side and blew a snap shot over the shoulder of Matt Murray. It was the 100th point of Rychel's OHL career.

Before the game I spoke with Spits captain Saverio Posa who said there was a real positive vibe in the room as more than half of the guys put money in to the pot - feeling good about scoring the winner tonight. Rychel is believed to have walked away about $400.00 richer thanks to his goal at 14:52 of the third.

Brady Vail notched the other goal for Windsor. Brandon Alderson, and Sergey Tolchinsky had the other goals for Sault Ste Marie. Pavelka made a half dozen big saves in the third to keep his team in the game and give them a chance to earn a much needed two points.

“I think after getting whacked by London and Guelph, that our team really put the foot down and said enough is enough,” added Ho Sang. “We got to come and play hockey.”

The three stars were McCann (3rd), Schoenmakers (2nd) and Clarke (1st). The Spitfires are back in action this Sunday as they host the Niagara Ice Dogs at the WFCU Centre.