Tuesday was an emotional, bittersweet end to the season for the Windsor Spitfires. In a grueling Game 7 of their Ontario Hockey League (OHL) second-round series, the Spitfires fell 2-1 in overtime to the Kitchener Rangers, showing heartbreak with pride and optimism towards the future.
Nothing about this series, or these playoffs, has been easy for the Western Conference’s second-seeded Spitfires. While they defeated the seventh-seeded Soo Greyhounds in five games, they were banged and bruised, losing several regulars along the way. When they got to the third-seeded Rangers, who are one of the best defensive teams in the league, the injury list seemed to grow every game. The Spitfires won the first three games, to some surprise. However, the Rangers used their defensive expertise and won the next three, setting up a classic clash at the WFCU Centre. Here are five takes from an emotional night.
Rangers End Heartbreaking Overtime
After allowing 16 goals in the first three games, the Rangers showed why they were the second-best defensive team (168 goals against in 68 games) in the OHL. In Games 4-6, they allowed just two, total, and that trend continued in Game 7.
The Rangers refused to let the Spitfires anywhere near goaltender Jackson Parsons. While the Spitfires outshot them 9-8 in the frame, the only goal came from Rangers’ veteran Luke Ellinas, who beat Joey Costanzo for a 1-0 lead.
It took until midway through the second for the Spitfires to beat Parsons, when rookie defenceman Carter Hicks made a move glove side to tie it. From there, it was a chess match with Parsons and Costanzo going save-for-save. Appropriately, they forced overtime where, again, it was a battle of the goaltenders. However, at 14:28, Ellinas grabbed a loose puck off an errant bounce and beat Costanzo high over a sprawled pad, giving the Rangers a dramatic 2-1 win and the series, 4-3.
It was an incredibly emotional loss for the Spitfires, who saw a 3-0 series lead slip away. After the game, tears were flowing, including from head coach Greg Walters, who emphasized his pride for the club.
“It’s heartbreaking,” he said. “Those kids gave everything they possibly could, to themselves, to their teammates, to the organization, to myself. I’m so proud of what they did. The adversity that they went through. Going through the playoffs and taking a very good team to overtime in Game 7. I couldn’t be prouder.”
The Windsor #Spitfires suffered a heartbreaking 2-1 OT loss to the Kitchener #Rangers at the WFCU Centre on Tuesday in Game 7 of their #OHL WC Rd 2 series. pic.twitter.com/IlDtnRCSp3
— Dave Jewell (@DaveJewellOHL) April 23, 2025
Veteran forward Noah Morneau was one of three overage (20 years old) players on the roster. This was his final OHL game, and he said they left it all on the ice.
“It’s a lot of sadness,” he said with tears. “These have been my best friends for quite a while, and it’s tough to have it end like that. We gave it everything. I thought we played better than they did. Joey was incredible, and Parsons was also incredible. Just sometimes you play that well and it doesn’t go for you.”
Costanzo Hits Stride
One of the biggest X-factors for the club coming into the series was the play of Costanzo. He had an outstanding first half, being near the top of most goaltending categories. In the second half, he struggled a bit but was looking for redemption. He certainly got it against the Greyhounds, and that continued against the Rangers.
On Tuesday, he arguably saved his best for last. He made 30 saves, including multiple massive saves that prevented the Rangers from grabbing the lead or even the win. However, there was nothing he could do on the overtime goal; a bad bounce to the glove side that he couldn’t get to. After the game, Walters said he was incredibly proud of the 19-year-old.
“He’s awesome, he was amazing,” Walters said. “He gave us every chance to win. I’m so proud of that kid. He was one of our best players until Christmas. He went down a little bit but, man, did he come back. Super proud of him.”
Costanzo can return for a final season in 2025-26 and, as of now, would take up one of the three possible spots. In the first half, it looked like he was a lock to return. After Christmas, those chances might have slipped a bit. However, Game 7 was a definite case-builder for the Toronto native. It’s going to be an interesting offseason for him and the Spitfires.
Fatigue Caught Up to Spitfires
Injuries are an unfortunate part of the game. However, it’s been a rough series for the Spitfires in that regard. At some point, they’ve had defencemen Tnias Mathurin, Tanner Winegard, and Carson Woodall, plus forwards captain Liam Greentree (Los Angeles Kings), Shawn Costello, J.C. Lemieux, Ethan Belchetz, Owen Outwater, A.J. Spellacy, and Cole Davis all out with injuries or illnesses.
Related: Windsor Spitfires’ Rookies Getting Early Prep for the Future
It’s forced others into bigger roles or more minutes than they’re used to. The club leaned on 2024 Draft picks Hicks, defenceman Andrew Robinson, and forward Ethan Garden for as much as they could handle. Walters also relied on Morneau and Ilya Protas (Washington Capitals) while Greentree was out in Game 5, and the pair were visibly exhausted by the end of overtime in Game 7. It all adds up to a tired team that, despite their best effort, ran out of gas. While Greentree returned for Game 7, Walters said the situation as a whole was pretty extreme.
“You look at our captain (Greentree), probably shouldn’t be playing,” he said. “He’s sick, getting IVs to be able to play. That’s who he is. Jack Nesbitt probably shouldn’t have been playing. Maybe they’re all cleared from the doctor but they’re sick. I know it happens to every team, but I don’t know what teams had nine regular guys out of their lineup. I believe that we would be moving on if, for whatever reason, the hockey gods (hadn’t) gotten us with the injuries. It’s tough to compete against a team like the Rangers with six, seven, eight regulars out of your lineup.”
Greentree’s illness was never fully disclosed. However, the veteran said it was just really bad timing and he wasn’t making excuses.
“It was just bad timing really,” Greentree said. “Get sick and have to miss a game, then have to try to get back into it, especially in a series like that, it’s tough. I don’t want to make excuses, so I’ll just keep it at that.”
Saying Goodbye to the Overagers
One of the hardest parts about losing Game 7 was that it marked the end of multiple OHL careers. The Spitfires had three overage players in Morneau, Mathurin, and Ryan Abraham, who was with the club for 223 games, and they now move on. While all three have committed to various NCAA programs for next season, it doesn’t make this loss any easier. After the game, an emotional Morneau said what he’ll remember most about the OHL isn’t even the hockey.
“Just relationships you make on the way,” he said. “You build such good friendships with people you never thought you’d meet. It’s tough to leave it.”
He said that growing up in Windsor, putting on the Spitfires’ jersey is something he took great pride in every night.
“That jersey means a lot to me,” Morneau said. “This team means a lot to me … I try to wear it with pride every time I put it on, give everything I had for my teammates and for everyone who believed in me. It really sucks to not be able to put it on again.”
Walters was very emotional after the game. He said that the overagers not returning, after going to battle with this team, was a big reason why it’s so tough.
“(Defenceman) Anthony Cristoforo says that I’m as soft as baby poo and now you see it,” he said with a chuckle. “It’s not the point of losing, it’s going to war with these kids. Morneau, what an unbelievable person. What he’s gone through in life, you see him go out there and do what he’s done. Abraham, Mathurin, anyone not coming back, that’s the sad point for me. I guess tough guys do cry once in a while (laughs).”
The fans stuck around until all of the players had left, applauding their team. Morneau said that their support meant a lot to him and the team, and “it means a lot to know that, regardless of the outcome, they still love you.”
Spitfires Are a Proud Team
Despite the heartbreak, this was a game, a series, and a season that the Spitfires are proud of. They fought until the bitter end, and, while it wasn’t the outcome they wanted, their heads aren’t down.
After the overtime goal, the Spitfires gathered around Costanzo and then did the traditional handshakes with the Rangers. However, instead of going to the room, they stayed on the ice. Tears were flowing, and they took 15 minutes to soak it all in and reflect. Greentree said the rink was a big part of their life, and losing in front of the home fans was difficult.
“We practice on that ice every day,” he said. “We’re at the rink almost 24/7; it’s a big part of our life and it’s tough to lose in front of our home crowd. We wanted to pull it out in front of all our fans. They supported us through everything that went on this season so a big thanks to our fans and the support we had. It takes an extra second to breathe that in; it could be the last time we’re on the ice together. You just never know. We had such a close group and it’s tough to swallow that one.”
Shots from the post-game handshakes and Windsor #Spitfires' reflections. #OHL pic.twitter.com/w4ffXp8DjZ
— Dave Jewell (@DaveJewellOHL) April 23, 2025
Walters joined the players and other coaches on the ice. He said this season changed him.
“I told the kids after, this is my 23rd season coaching and I’ve never been prouder,” Walters said. “This has been the best season of my life, coaching. I became a better person, a better friend, a better parent, a better father, because of these kids and how close they are. We had so much fun together.”
For now, the Spitfires will likely look at Game 7 on what could have been. They were a game away from going to the Western Conference Final. However, in time, the sadness will turn to optimism about next season with plenty of talent returning, including Greentree, Belchetz, Hicks, and more. With two incredible playoff series under their belts, their future is very bright.
