Greentree's Hat-Trick Performance Leads Spitfires to Decisive Victory Over Knights
Windsor Spitfires head coach Greg Walters celebrated a significant career milestone in spectacular fashion on Friday night. Marking his 400th game as a head coach in the Ontario Hockey League, Walters watched his team deliver a commanding 6-1 road victory against the London Knights.
"The boys said, 'Congrats old man' after the game," Walters shared with a smile, acknowledging the lighthearted recognition from his players following the impressive performance.
Captain Liam Greentree Takes Center Stage
Team captain Liam Greentree demonstrated his offensive prowess with a dominant three-goal performance that proved decisive in the contest. The 20-year-old forward scored twice during a remarkable four-minute, forty-second span in the second period when the Spitfires erupted for four consecutive goals, establishing a commanding 5-1 lead.
"He was a man on Friday and played extremely well," Walters praised. "He's one of the most dangerous shooters in the league and you saw it again. He's feeling good, he's confident and playing well and hitting with his shots a lot more."
Greentree's offensive surge continues with five goals in his last two games and eight goals over his previous five contests, showcasing his scoring touch at a crucial point in the season.
Supporting Cast Contributes to Comprehensive Win
While Greentree's hat-trick captured headlines, the Spitfires received scoring contributions from multiple sources. Ethan Belchetz, Alex Pharand, and A.J. Spellacy all found the back of the net, with Spellacy adding three points to his season total. The balanced offensive attack overwhelmed the Knights' defense throughout the game.
The victory improves Windsor's record against London to 3-0-1 this season with two regular-season matchups remaining. Notably, the Spitfires have now won two games in London for the first time since the 2022-23 campaign.
Disciplined Play Proves Crucial
A key factor in the Spitfires' success was their exceptional discipline, as the team avoided taking a single penalty against a Knights squad known for capitalizing on power-play opportunities. This was particularly significant considering the intimidating atmosphere created by more than 9,000 spectators in attendance.
"We talked about that before the game," Walters explained. "The boys are holding each other accountable now and talking on that bench and that's when you know we have them."
The disciplined performance continues a positive trend for Windsor, which has limited opponents to three or fewer power-play chances in seven of their last eight games. Over that stretch, the team has surrendered just 21 total power-play opportunities, averaging only 2.625 per contest.
"We have a great bunch of kids and sometimes emotions take over," Walters acknowledged. "As a team, we want to be as prepared as possible for the playoffs and all 20 guys have bought in."
Standings Implications and Academic Recognition
The victory carries significant implications for the Western Division standings, as Windsor moved one point ahead of the Flint Firebirds for first place, though Flint maintains a game in hand. The competitive race promises an exciting conclusion to the regular season.
Prior to the game, the OHL recognized Spitfires rookie defenseman Andrew Robinson as the West Division's Academic Player of the Month for February. The 18-year-old graduated a semester early from St. Anne High School with a Grade 12 average exceeding 90 percent in university-level courses including calculus and advanced functions. Robinson contributed to the victory with a plus-three rating against London.
Despite the lopsided score, Walters maintained respect for the opposition, noting: "They're still a good team. They're still a tough battle with a great coaching staff and I'm proud of our kids."
The comprehensive victory provides momentum for the Spitfires as they continue their push toward the postseason while honoring their coach's significant career achievement with a performance worthy of the milestone occasion.
