3 Takeaways From Spitfires’ 5-3 Win in Game 4 Series Clincher vs Firebirds – The Hockey Writers – OHL

The Windsor Spitfires are moving on in the 2025-26 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Playoffs. They earned a tough road win against the Flint Firebirds on Thursday, taking the second-round series 4-0.

All season, they went toe-to-toe in the Western Conference as the second-seeded Spitfires won the West Division by two points over the third-seeded Firebirds. While each club swept their first-round series rather easily, this match was considered the real test. They were two hard-nosed teams who split their season series 3-3 and were now ready for an epic clash. However, after taking a somewhat surprising 3-0 series lead, an impressive Game 4 win by the Spitfires on Thursday ended things quicker than expected. Here are three takeaways from Flint, MI.

Spitfires’ Depth Takes Control

The Spitfires came into Game 4 with a 3-0 series lead, having outscored the Firebirds 12-8 through three games. Two of the games were one-goal wins, while the other was by two goals. This was another nail-biter.

All season, the Spitfires have boasted about their depth and secondary scoring. While players like captain Liam Greentree (New York Rangers), forward Jack Nesbitt (Philadelphia Flyers), and defenceman-turned-forward Anthony Cristoforo have been incredible in the playoffs, the club still needed their other players to step up. On Thursday, that happened.

While the trio combined for two goals and an assist, the rest of the team combined for three goals and six points. They got scoring from nine different players, including a goal and an assist from defenceman Carson Woodall, another goal and an assist from Cole Davis, and two assists from rookie John McLaughlin. It wasn’t easy at times as the Firebirds pressed the offensive issue throughout the game.

The Firebirds scored a first-period goal and controlled most of the opening 20 minutes. They weren’t going down without serious pushback. However, the Spitfires responded in the second with goals from Cristoforo (power play) and Davis to get the lead. After Woodall scored early in the third to make it 3-1 Spitfires, the teams exchanged goals with Nesbitt scoring into the empty net with 33 seconds to go, sealing a 5-3 Game 4 win and a series sweep.

This was the trench battle we expected. However, the Spitfires’ secondary scoring came up clutch when they needed it most. That was a true team win.

Firebirds’ Best Wasn’t Enough

That’s not to say the Firebirds didn’t give it their all in front of their home crowd. Their fan base is passionate and love the team. Their best players were their best players.

Captain Nathan Aspinall (Rangers) had a pair of goals, while forward Jacob Battaglia had two assists. Veteran forward Jimmy Lombardi was lights-out in the faceoff circle, winning 15-of-18 draws. They did their jobs, but it just wasn’t enough on this night.

One factor may have been the absence of veteran forward Kevin He (Winnipeg Jets) who was scratched from the lineup. He had three points in the series, 77 points in 60 games this season, and was acquired from the Niagara IceDogs at the January trade deadline for moments like this.

The Firebirds played the game they needed to. They pushed from the start, threw 13 first-period shots on goaltender Joey Costanzo, and scored twice on him late when they had to try anything. They were confident, aggressive, and willing to take chances. They just ran into a Spitfires team that was on their game at both ends. Sometimes you have to tip your hat to the opponent.

Spitfires’ Kept It Simple

When Walters came to the club in July 2024, he made it perfectly clear that defence-first hockey was his style. The results have spoken for themselves; sixth in the OHL in goals-against in 2024-25 and second this season (173). That’s a 48-percent drop from the 360 goals they allowed in 2023-24, which was their worst since 1983-84 (370 goals in 70 games).

Their systems are not always glamorous but they’re proven. They allowed five goals against the Guelph Storm in four games. Coming into Thursday, they had allowed eight goals in three games against the Firebirds, five of which came in a dramatic 6-5, come-from-behind win in Game 2.

The Spitfires keep the game simple. The defenders get the puck back through proper positioning, transition into offence, and create scoring opportunities. The Firebirds gave a valiant effort, including 13 first-period shots and a large push at the end. However, Walters’ team tightened up in the last 40 minutes, allowed as little as possible (just 10 shots in 40 minutes), and executed to near perfection. The Firebirds simply couldn’t find the answer.

Walters has his team confident, playing the right way, and they’re fully bought in. There was nothing easy about Game 4, but if they didn’t play right, they risked the series going to Game 5, or even beyond, where anything can happen. Last season, the Spitfires had a 3-0 second-round series lead against the Kitchener Rangers and lost in Game 7. On Thursday, they stayed focused and did the job to make sure history didn’t repeat itself.

The win gives the Spitfires back-to-back series sweeps for the first time since 2010, where they eventually went on to win the Memorial Cup. Wouldn’t that be interesting? For now, they’ll rest up and get ready for the Western Conference Final. That will either be against the Rangers or the Soo Greyhounds, who are getting ready for Game 5 in Kitchener on Friday. The Rangers lead that series 3-1. Enjoy this win, Spitfires’ fans. It’s well earned.