Windsor Spitfires' Ilya Protas. (Photo courtesy of Natalie Shaver via OHL Images)
Windsor

Saginaw beat Spitfires in shootout thanks to late comeback

A hat-trick from Ilya Protas wasn't enough for the Windsor Spitfires to beat the Saginaw Spirit.

The two teams faced off Saturday night south of the border with Saginaw winning 6-5 in a shootout.

Saginaw came out firing in the first period, scoring twice in the first eight minutes. The goals came from Kristian Epperson and Calem Mangone.

Ryan Abraham would get the Spitfires back within one with his 27th goal. Getting the assists were Carson Woodall and Carter Froggett.

The second period was dominated by the Spitfires as they scored three goals.

Each was scored by Ilya Protas, his 48th, 49th, and 50th of the season. Shawn Costello and Josef Eichler assisted on the first goal, Jack Nesbitt and Luke McNamara helped on the second goal, with Greentree and Woodall assisting on the third.

Saginaw would get one before the end of the period from Nic Sima.

The Spitfires would extend the lead in the third with a tally from Noah Morneau. His 28th goal was helped by Conor Walton and Protas.

Saginaw refused to go away as Igor Chernyshov Michael Misa each scored late in the period to tie the game at five goals apiece.

Neither team were able to score in overtime, meaning a shootout would decide a winner.

Two goals from Misa and Dimian Zhilkin were enough for Saginaw to get the comeback win.

With the loss, Windsor's record drops to 43-16-4-2, while Saginaw moves to 37-25-2-1.

The Spitfires' next game is on Sunday, March 16, at home against the London Knights.

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