Three takeaways from Spitfires’ 7-5 home win against offense – The Hockey Writers – OHL

The Windsor Spitfires are riding their momentum as much as they can. They’re also learning lessons along the way, as was the case Thursday night when they picked up a home win over a conference rival.

This season has been an experience for the Spitfires. After finishing second to last in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) last season, they have done a total of 180 so far. Coming into Thursday night’s home game against the Owen Sound Attack, the club was an impressive 8-1-1, including 3-0 at the WFCU Center. They also beat the Attack on the road last Saturday 4-1. However, every team needs a scare and this might have been the team’s best yet. Here are three takeaways from the victory.

Victories still bring lessons

No matter how good you are, overconfidence can hurt you. The Spitfires learned that lesson Thursday. Midway through the match they took a 3-1 lead thanks to Noah Morneau. Captain Liam Greentreeand Ilya Protas (Washington Capitals). Striker Jack Nesbitt added his first of the game to give them a 4-2 lead after 40 minutes and they looked calm. However, that’s when it got interesting.

Despite Nesbitt’s second of the night, the team gave up in the third and the Attack scored three of the next four to make the score 6-5 Spitfires with seconds remaining. However, Nesbitt completed the hat trick into an empty net with eight seconds left for a 7-5 victory, the goalkeeper said. Carter Froggett’s first in the OHL.

Jack Nesbitt Windsor Spitfires — Windsor Spitfires forward Jack Nesbitt. (David Jewell / The Hockey Writers)

While two points are helpful, conceding three goals in the third period is difficult. Spitfires head coach Greg Walters He called it a “teachable moment.”

“The kids were saying it on the bench and they knew we were going in the wrong direction, not playing Spitfires hockey,” he said. “…I said some things (laughs)… We got nice there, trying to make plays instead of putting pucks deep and using our forecheck. We want to be a team where, when we have an advantage going into third, we know it’s over. We will show some tapes tomorrow and I know our team will respond on Saturday.”

The Windsor #Spitfires Continuing to find a way, surviving Owen Sound. #Stroke at the WFCU Center on Thursday night for a 7-5 victory. #OHL pic.twitter.com/t1IRJMkDJf

– Dave Jewell (@DaveJewellOHL) October 25, 2024

Defender Tnias Mathurin, 20 years old, He said it’s a good learning lesson. You can’t be too confident, even with a lead.

“We came out hard but, as the game progressed, we became too confident in our advantage,” he said. “…It’s a learning moment for our younger guys and for all the guys… With young guys and new players, it’s easy to be confident when you’re up by two or three goals. The coaches will take care of that.”

Nesbitt’s hat trick shows his star potential

One of the game’s brightest spots was the 17-year-old Nesbitt, who was the Spitfires’ first-round pick in 2023. The 6-foot-4, 182-pound Sarnia native scored nine goals and 18 points last season in 54 games but he already has eight goals and 14 points in 11 games in 2024-25. He has been playing on the first two lines with several veterans and his game has taken off to a new level.

Entering his NHL Draft season, Nesbitt received a B grade from NHL Central Scouting. List of “Players to Watch” this week. That positions him as a possible second- or third-round pick next summer. Thursday night’s hat trick will certainly turn some heads. After the game, he immediately thanked Morneau and said it was the first hat trick he had scored since at least his under-16 season (OHL Draft), maybe more.

“I’m really happy that Morneau gave me that puck (in the empty net for the hat trick),” Nesbitt said. “That’s just great leadership. “I love the kid and he is a great player.”

Windsor #Spitfires‘F Jack Nesbitt with his first #OHL Thursday night hat-trick against Owen Sound #Stroke. pic.twitter.com/Nb4aKsBM1L

– Dave Jewell (@DaveJewellOHL) October 25, 2024

Spitfires’ 2023 Draft Class isn’t as deep as their 2022 or 2024 classes, due to GM Bill Bowler’s All-in approach on the 2022 and 2023 OHL Trade Deadlines. However, Nesbitt plays the game the right way and is being rewarded. Walters said he is a kid who never cheats and is becoming a great example for the coaches.

“That’s a kid who never, ever cheats,” he said. “He’s always on top of the puck, he comes and stops in our zone, he’s very reliable in all areas of the court… He’s being rewarded… When someone doesn’t cheat in the game and gets three goals, that’s where we can take it as coaches and show it to everyone.”

The young Spitfires act like veterans

A big positive for the Spitfires this season has been the play of their youth. Typically, the veterans will lead the way while the youngsters play a supporting role. However, that has not been the case and Thursday was another example.

Nesbitt, who won’t turn 18 until January, achieved the hat-trick while 2024 first overall pick Ethan Belchetz he had a beautiful assist between the legs on Nesbitt’s second goal. Add in a goal from rookie Ethan Garden, plus solid minutes from rookies Jean-Christoph Lemieux and Nathan Gaymes, and everyone contributes. Walters has consistently given younger players the opportunity to play with Greentree, Protas, Morneau and other veterans like AJ Spellacy and Ryan Abraham and it has paid off.

After the game, Mathurin said that while players like Greentree and Protas are expected to produce, getting big plays from the younger players is important for the future.

“There’s so much skill, I don’t know where to start,” he said. “Cheese (Belchetz)’s pass tonight was crazy and Nessy (Nesbitt) with the hat trick, getting those kind of moments from guys like that really helps. Obviously you’ll get it from Greentree and Protas, but coming from those younger guys will also be a big help in the future.”

Taking the pressure off the veterans and giving the club four productive lines is something every team could use. This week, the The Spitfires took sixth place in the Canadian Hockey League Top-10, to which Walters gave full credit to the players for “100% participation…they deserve everything they’re getting.” If they continue to get production from all areas, it will be intriguing to see how far this club can go.

The Spitfires now prepare to take on the Eastern Conference-leading Niagara IceDogs (8-2-0) at home on Saturday. They finished last in the OHL last season, marking another impressive turnaround.

Subscribe to our NHL Prospects & Draft Substack newsletter