Hounds take round one over Spitfires (video added)

The Soo Greyhounds delivered the first blow in what is likely to be a hotly contested fight for the west division championship.

On Friday night at the Steelback Centre, Matt Lyall proved to be the difference for the Hounds in a 2-1 victory over the Windsor Spitfires in front of 4,780 fans.

Lyall, the game's first star, was outstanding at both ends of the ice and scored the opening goal 1:03 into the game before setting up Aaron Alphonso with a beautiful pass to break a 1-1 tie early in the third period.

Blake Parlett scored Windsor's only goal in the first period.

The game was played despite the inability of the Ontario Hockey League officials to land at the Sault airport. Locals Scott Thibeault and Jamie Appleton filled in as referees while Paul Raycroft and Troy Miller manned the lines.

The Greyhounds cap their final homestand before the holiday break with another highly anticipated match up on Sunday at the Steelback Centre against the league leading Kitchener Rangers at 7 p.m.

Following Sunday's contest, the Hounds hit the road three different times for a total of seven straight games away from home.

Goaltenders Kyle Gajewski of the Greyhounds and Spitfire counterpart Michal Neuvirth also turned in solid performances in the tight checking contest. Windsor outshot the Soo 28-25.

The win moves the Hounds into sole possession of first place in the west division, two points ahead of the Spitfires. The locals remain three points behind the western conference and OHL leading Kitchener Rangers, who knocked off the Plymouth Whalers 3-1 on Friday.

The next battle in the six-game regular season set between the Hounds and Spitfires goes Thursday night in Windsor.

Click here to view SooToday.com video highlight reel