Culina set for new season in Windsor

For Windsor Spitfires goaltender Mario Culina, the 2016-17 Ontario Hockey League season is a major opportunity.

In addition to playing for the team set to host the 2017 MasterCard Memorial Cup, it’s a chance to play a full season in the league, something that he didn’t get last season after an early season injury.

Despite the opportunity as hosts of the tournament, Culina said the Spitfires’ focus needs to be on a night-by-night basis.

“We’re all excited,” Culina said. “We’ve got a good group of guys and we’re looking forward to the Memorial Cup but we’re not really worried about the Memorial Cup right now. We just have to focus on each and every game.”

Windsor Coach Rocky Thompson had plenty of praise for the Sault Ste. Marie product following the Spitfires recent meeting with the Greyhounds at the Essar Centre.

“Mario is a professional every day,” Thompson said. “He works extremely hard as people (in Sault Ste. Marie) know. He does (the city) proud and he’s had success coming back into this building.

Culina has enjoyed playing for Thompson and credited his coaching abilities, including his ability to make adjustments to find success in-game.

“He’s an unbelievable coach,” Culina said of playing for Thompson. “He’s has a lot of NHL experience playing. He’s coached for a long time. He’s just a great coach.”

Friday night saw Culina get his first start of the season, picking up a win at the Essar Centre against his hometown Greyhounds.

Culina spoke of his success playing at the Essar, which now includes three wins in three appearances as a member of the Spitfires along with his experience as a member of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League’s Soo Thunderbirds.

“I have a winning record on this ice,” Culina said. “I won with the Thunderbirds. I’ve won with Windsor.”

Culina got into 20 games last season as he split time with Michael DiPietro, posting a 12-6-1-0 record with a 2.64 goals against average and a 0.902 save percentage.