The Windsor Spitfires scored three goals in the third period to beat the Firebirds 4-2 in Flint on St. Patrick's Day.
The Spitfires break their tie with the Saginaw Spirit and sit in sole possession of seventh place with 68 points with their regular-season finale set for Sunday. A win Sunday by the Spitfires overtakes the Guelph Storm for the sixth seed in the upcoming OHL playoffs.
The first period of the contest was scoreless. Jake Smith had both of the Spitfires' penalties in the frame, the first for slashing, the other holding.
Smith broke the tie at 1:22 in the second period for his 18th goal of the year.
Ethan Keppen tied the game once more for Flint when he scored at 5:33 in the third period. Windsor then poured on the offence with a trio of goals. Igor Larionov Jr. doubled the Spits' lead at 6:12 in the frame. Daniel D'Amico scored his 12th goal of the year on the power play with over five minutes left in regulation, then Cole Purboo added one about three minutes following. Hunter Holmes scored a goal for Flint with 33 seconds left in regulation but that would be it.
Michael DiPietro took the win for the Spitfires by stopping 24 out of 26 shots in goal. Luke Cavallin had 21 saves for the Firebirds.
Windsor closes out the regular season when Saginaw visits the WFCU Centre Sunday afternoon.
