Hounds take command of Spitfires

The Soo Greyhounds are now just a win away from capturing their first post season series in five seasons.

Backed by another solid goaltending performance from Kyle Gajewski, the Greyhounds defeated the Windsor Spitfires 2-1 on Wednesday night in Windsor to take a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven Ontario Hockey League western conference quarterfinal.

The Hounds can sweep the series with a game four victory on Thursday night in Windsor. Faceoff time is 7:30 p.m.

Blair Jarrett opened the scoring on the power play in the first period when he tipped a Jordan Smith shot past Spitfires goaltender Kyle Knechtel.

Jeff Carter would then add a pivitol insurance marker with 1:17 remaining in the second period when he spun a rifled a shot past Knechtel.

With the Spitfires pressing late in the game, Cal O'Reilly scored with 1:31 remaining in regulation time to spoil Gajewski's shutout bid.

In three games this series, Gajewski, who stopped 41 of 42 shots for the win, has allowed only two goals after posting a first game shutout.

The Hounds finished the game without centre Tyler Kenndy, who left the contest after receiving a high sticking minor and a 10 minute misconduct for an altercation at the bench with aggitating Spits defenseman Scott Todd, who is playing with a full face shield.

After being checked into the boards at the Hounds bench by Andrew Gibbons, Scott took a swing at Kennedy, who was sitting on the Hounds bench. Kennedy retaliated by chopping Todd in the head area with his stick.

Forward Reg Thomas was assessed a fighting major and an instigating minor after time had expired when the overager engaged in a battle with the Spitfires' John Scott Dickson.

The Greyhounds fired 32 shots on goal.

A fifth game in the series, if necessary, is scheduled for Saturday night at Memorial Gardens beginning at 7:30 p.m.

*** KING GETS TWO:

Greyhounds forward Jacob King was handed a two game suspension by the OHL on Tuesday after receiving a match penalty in game two at Memorial Gardens on Saturday night.

King, who is eligible to return after Thursday's game, is alleged to have bitten Spitfires defenseman Paul Giallonardo during a scrum after the whistle.

*** OHL PLAYOFF SUMMARY:

EASTERN CONFERENCE

1. MISSISSAUGA vs. 8. TORONTO

(Toronto leads series 2-1)

Game 1 - Toronto 3 Mississauga 1 Game 2 - Mississauga 6 Toronto 2 Game 3 - Toronto 3 Mississauga 2 Game 4 - Thurs. March 31 at Toronto 7:30 Game 5 - Sun. April 3 at Mississauga 2:00 Game 6 - Mon. April 4 at Toronto 7:30 * Game 7 - Tues. April 5 at Mississauga 7:00 *

2. PETERBOROUGH vs. 7. BELLEVILLE

(Peterborough leads series 3-1)

Game 1 - Peterborough 5 Belleville 0 Game 2 - Peterborough 3 Belleville 2 Game 3 - Peterborough 4 Belleville 1 Game 4 - Belleville 4 Peterborough 3 (OT) Game 5 - Thurs. March 31 at Peterborough 7:00 Game 6 - Mon. April 4 at Belleville 7:05 * Game 7 - Tues. April 5 at Peterborough 7:00 *

3. BARRIE vs. 6. OTTAWA

(Ottawa leads series 2-1)

Game 1 - Ottawa 5 Barrie 4 Game 2 - Barrie 4 Ottawa 1 Game 3 - Ottawa 3 Barrie 2 Game 4 - Fri. April 1 at Ottawa, 7:30 p.m. Game 5 - Sun. April 3 at Barrie, 6:00 p.m. Game 6 - Mon. April 4 at Ottawa, 7:30 p.m. * Game 7 - Tues. April 5 at Barrie, 7:30 p.m. *

4. BRAMPTON vs. 5. SUDBURY

(Sudbury leads series 3-1)

Game 1 - Sudbury 3 Brampton 2 (OT) Game 2 - Sudbury 4 Brampton 1 Game 3 - Brampton 4 Sudbury 3 Game 4 - Sudbury 2 Brampton 1 Game 5 - Fri. April 1 at Brampton 7:30 Game 6 - Mon. April 4 at Sudbury 7:30 * Game 7 - Tues. April 5 at Brampton 7:30 *

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

1. LONDON vs. 8. GUELPH

(London wins series 4-0)

Game 1 - London 3 Guelph 2 Game 2 - London 2 Guelph 1 Game 3 - London 5 Guelph 1 Game 4 - London 5 Guelph 2

2. SOO GREYHOUNDS vs. 7. WINDSOR

(Soo leads series 3-0)

Game 1 - Soo 5 Windsor 0 Game 2 - Soo 3 Windsor 1 Game 3 - Soo 2 Windsor 1 Game 4 - Thurs. March 31 at Windsor, 7:30 Game 5 - Sat. April 2 at Sault Ste. Marie, 7:30 * Game 6 - Sun. April 3 at Windsor, 6:00 * Game 7 - Tues. April 5 at Sault Ste. Marie, 7:00 *

3. OWEN SOUND vs. 6. PLYMOUTH

(Owen Sound leads series 3-0)

Game 1 - Owen Sound 1 Plymouth 0 Game 2 - Owen Sound 6 Plymouth 1 Game 3 - Owen Sound 5 Plymouth 0 Game 4 - Thurs. March 31 at Plymouth, 7:30 Game 5 - Sat. April 2 at Owen Sound, 7:30 * Game 6 - Sun. April 3 at Plymouth, 6:00 * Game 7 - Tues. April 5 at Owen Sound, 7:00 *

4. KITCHENER vs. 5. ERIE

(Series tied 2-2)

Game 1 - Erie 2 Kitchener 1 (2OT) Game 2 - Erie 4 Kitchener 2 Game 3 - Kitchener 4 Erie 3 (OT) Game 4 - Kitchener 3 Erie 2 (OT) Game 5 - Fri. April 1 at Kitchener, 7:30 Game 6 - Sat. April 2 at Erie, 7:30 Game 7 - Mon. April 4 at Kitchener, 7:00 *

(* if necessary)

***