Gameday Preview: Greyhounds host Spitfires to end homestand

Positioning in the Ontario Hockey League’s Western Conference is on the line Sunday night at the Essar Centre as the Soo Greyhounds host the Windsor Spitfires.

The Greyhounds have won two straight overtime games to open a three-game homestand that wraps up Sunday night. The Spitfires have lost two straight entering Sunday including a 6-3 loss to the Saginaw Spirit on Saturday night.

The Greyhounds and Spitfires enter Sunday night tied for seventh in the Western Conference with 34 points though the Greyhounds are the higher see with more wins (16). A victory on Sunday night would also pull the winner into a tie with the sixth-seeded Plymouth Whalers, who are idle on Sunday.

The Greyhounds and Spitfires have met three times already in the 2012-13 season with the Spitfires having come away victorious in all three. In September, Windsor came away with a 3-2 win at the Essar Centre on a third period goal from Brady Vail.

On Oct. 11, Michael Clarke had two goals and two assists as Windsor picked up a 7-4 win at the WFCU Centre in Windsor.

Earlier this month, Jaroslav Pavelka stopped 38 shots while Kerby Rychel scored the game-winner at 15:42 of the third period to give Windsor a 3-2 win.

The two teams split six regular season meetings last season though, Windsor has had the Greyhounds number in recent years having won 16 of 21 meetings over the past five seasons.

The Spitfires have struggled on the road this season with just four wins in 16 games away from home.

Out of the lineup for the Spitfires will be defenceman Pat Sieloff, who is attending the USA Hockey tryout camp for the US National Junior Team. The camp opened today in New York City. Pavelka is also being considered for the Czech Republic entry.

As for the Greyhounds, no word on whether Andrew Fritsch will return from injury tonight. Fritsch has already missed four games.

The game marks the final contest before Christmas for both clubs. Puck drop is set for 7:07 p.m.

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