Photo Credit: Freeze Frame Photos

At the Memorial Gardens in Sault Ste. Marie on Sunday, March 22nd, the fifth place (39-22-1-5) Soo Greyhounds hosted the third place (43-15-6-3) Windsor Spitfires in a Western Conference afternoon matinee for their final regular season game of 2025-2026. The Greyhounds held a 3-2 regular season edge heading into the finale, coming off a strong 5-1 win in Saginaw on March 20th, while the Spitfires entered following a 3-2 shootout loss in London that same night. With major playoff implications on the line, the Greyhounds needed a win to secure home ice advantage in the first round, while a loss would send them on the road to open the postseason.

Windsor wasted no time setting the tone in the opening period. At 4:40, Liam Greentree opened the scoring with his 38th goal of the season, finishing a play set up by John McLaughlin to give the Spitfires a 1-0 lead. The visitors doubled their advantage on the powerplay at 10:04 when Jack Nesbitt notched his 23rd of the year, with assists going to Anthony Cristoforo and Jakub Fibigr. The Greyhounds responded later in the frame, also on the man advantage, as Jeremy Martin buried his 29th goal at 14:42, assisted by Marco Mignosa and Brady Martin, cutting the deficit to 2-1 heading into the intermission.

The second period saw the Greyhounds push back. At 10:35, Travis Hayes evened the game at 2-2 with his 16th goal of the season, finishing a play from Jakub Winkelhofer and Callum Croskery. However, Windsor regained the lead late in the period on another powerplay opportunity. At 18:34, Jack Nesbitt struck again for his second of the game and 24th of the season, with Liam Greentree and Anthony Cristoforo picking up the assists, giving the Spitfires a 3-2 edge after forty minutes.

Soo came out strong in the third period, tying the game just 53 seconds in. Marco Mignosa scored his 35th of the season unassisted to make it 3-3. But once again, Windsor’s powerplay proved to be the difference. At 10:26, Jack Nesbitt completed the hat trick with his 25th goal of the season, converting on the man advantage with assists from Anthony Cristoforo and Liam Greentree to restore the Spitfires’ lead at 4-3. The Greyhounds pressed late, but with the net empty, Anthony Cristoforo sealed the game at 19:00 with his 22nd goal of the season, assisted by Conor Walton and Liam Greentree, securing a 5-3 victory for Windsor.

In goal, Carter George made 21 saves on 25 shots in the loss for the Greyhounds, while Joey Costanzo turned aside 15 of 18 shots to earn the win for the Spitfires.

With the victory, Windsor captured their fourth West Division title in the past five seasons. Meanwhile, the Greyhounds’ loss means they will open their 2026 postseason on the road in London against the Knights.

First Round Matchup: (4) London Knights vs. (5) Soo Greyhounds
Game 1 – Friday, March 27 at London, 7:00 p.m.
Game 2 – Sunday, March 29 at London, 6:00 p.m.
Game 3 – Tuesday, March 31 at Sault Ste. Marie, 8:07 p.m.
Game 4 – Wednesday, April 1 at Sault Ste. Marie, 7:07 p.m.
Game 5 – Friday, April 3 at London, 7:00 p.m.*
Game 6 – Sunday, April 5 at Sault Ste. Marie, 7:07 p.m.*
Game 7 – Tuesday, April 7 at London, 7:00 p.m.*
(*if necessary)