Hounds close in on first

The Soo Greyhounds can smell the scent of a first place standing.

Led by an outstanding goaltending performance from Jakub Cech and two goals from the stick of Reg Thomas, the Soo Greyhounds left the unfriendly confines of the Windsor Arena with a 3-2 victory over the Spitfires on Thursday night.

The victory brings the Hounds to within two points of the Spitfires for first place in the Ontario Hockey League's west division with two games in hand.

The win also moves the Hounds to the .500 mark for the first time this season at 9-9-3 for 21 points.

The Greyhounds jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first period with a pair of power play goals. Brad Staubitz opened the scoring at 7:21 before Thomas scored his first of the night at 11:34.

Brian Soso scored early in the second period to pull the Spitfires back to within one goal but Thomas scored the game winner just 38 seconds later when he collected a wired bounce off the boards and found the open net.

Ryan Garlock capped the scoring with a goal late in the third period with the Spitfires pressing.

Jeff Carter added a pair of assists to end a mini two-game pointless skid while defenseman Jordan Smith also added a pair of helpers.

Jakub Cech made several big saves in net and was named the game's first star while Thomas grabbed second star honours.

Windsor goaltender Brad Topping was named the game's third star and held the Spitfires in the game especially in the first period when the Hounds outshot the Spitfires 22-4.

The Greyhounds, who killed all seven Windsor power plays, had four power play opportunities in the opening frame including a five-minute advantage when David Lomas received a major penalty and a game misconduct for a knee-on-knee hit with Hounds defenseman Martin Tuma, who was able to remain in the contest.

The contest was the first on a five-game road swing for the Greyhounds, who are 6-2-2 in their last 10 games.

The locals visit the Plymouth Whalers on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. before meeting the London Knights on Sunday at 2 p.m. Next week, the Hounds visit Saginaw and Sarnia.

Next home action for the Greyhounds is Sunday, November 28 against the Guelph Storm at 7 p.m. at Memorial Gardens.