Another tough night for the Greyhounds

It was the same old situation for the Soo Greyhounds on Friday night at Memorial Gardens.

Just 48 hours after having their game against the Sarnia Sting postponed, the Greyhounds found themselves in a situation they have become too accustomed to – looking for goals.

Friday night saw an important game for the Greyhounds in front of 3,475 fans, but the locals dropped a 3-1 decision to the Windsor Spitfires. The loss dropped the Greyhounds into fifth place in the Ontario Hockey League's West Division.

The Greyhounds found themselves getting numerous chances over the game's first two periods in which they outshot the Spitfires by a 32-18 margin. The chances included a number of close calls including Jason Pitton hitting the crossbar in the final moments of the second period.

Ryan Garlock gave the Spitfires the early lead when he scored just 6:08 into the game and the Greyhounds would not respond until just over six minutes into the second period.

Scott Restoule, on the power play, scored his first goal as a member of the Greyhounds to tie the game.

Peter Aston, who was acquired by the Spitfires in the trade that sent forward Steve Downie to the Peterborough Petes, gave the Spitfires the lead again with just 15 second left in the second period and that's all the visitors would need. Bradley Snetsinger sealed the victory with a third period tally at 17:40.

"It's not how you say it right now, but what you say and what they say," said Hounds coach Craig Hartsburg in reference to the post-game talk with his players. "We didn't play with enough desperation right from the start of the hockey game. Did we play a poor game? No, but did we play good enough to win? No. We did have enough scoring chances to win the hockey game.

"That's the problem," he continued. "We seem to play good enough to be close instead of playing over that hump. That means paying a bigger price, playing more desperate, battling harder, and being smarter in certain situations. It's things we've talked about for the last six weeks."

Hartsburg went on to talk about the importance of the game, adding that matters need to be taken in their own hands.

"This was a huge game," Hartsburg said. "We talked about it all week, but we didn't play with enough passion or desperation. We have to get ready for Sunday. We talked here and we'll talk again tomorrow. At some point, the words aren't good enough. Action has to take over."

The Hounds will look to shake off the loss in quick fashion as Sunday will see them host one of the OHL's hottest teams in the London Knights. The Knights have been on a tear since the returns of goaltender Adam Dennis, and forwards Rob Schremp and Dylan Hunter. Game time on Sunday is set for 7 p.m.

Following Sunday's game, the Hounds are on the road for a three-game-in-three-night Eastern Conference road trip. The Hounds are in Mississauga on Nov. 18, Belleville on Nov. 19, and Oshawa on Nov. 20.

*** AROUND THE OHL:

In other action from the Ontario Hockey League on Friday night:

AT BRAMPTON: Justin Donati had a pair of goals while Justin Peters stopped 38 shots to lead the St. Michael's Majors to a 3-0 blanking of the Brampton Battalion. Ryan Wilson had a goal and an assist while Scott Lehman had a pair of helpers for Toronto.

AT GUELPH: Benoit Pouliot had a pair of goals while Nick Foligno chipped in with a goal and two assists as the Sudbury Wolves defeated the Guelph Storm 5-1. Marc Staal also chipped in with a pair of assists.

AT KINGSTON: Peder Skinner and Cory Emmerton had a pair of goals each to head the Kingston Frontenacs offensive onslaught. The Frontenacs defeated the Belleville Bulls 8-2. Bobby Hughes added a goal and two assists while Justin Wallingford and Todd Griffith each had three assists in the win. Evan Brophey scored both Bulls goals.

AT KITCHENER: Yves Bastien's goal early in the third period held up as the winner in Kitchener's 2-1 victory over Owen Sound. Evan McGrath had two assists in the win while Dan Turple stopped 45 Owen Sound shots.

AT LONDON: Rob Schremp scored twice and added three assists while David Bolland had two goals and two assists in the London Knights 7-1 victory over the Erie Otters. Sergei Kostitsyn added three assists in the London win.

AT SARNIA: James Neal led the Plymouth Whalers to an important 4-3 victory over the Sarnia Sting. Dan Collins and john Vigilante each had a goal and an assist in the win.

AT OSHAWA: Patrick Asselin had a pair of goals while Patrick McNeil and Zack Torquato had a goal and an assist each to lead the Saginaw Spirit to a 4-2 road victory over the Oshawa Generals. Michal Birner and Matt Corrente each had two assists in the win.

AT OTTAWA: Michael Swift set up three goals while Jadran Beljo assisted on two as the Mississauga IceDogs scored a 4-2 victory over the Ottawa 67's. Keith Wynn also chipped in with a goal and an assist.