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It was a positive start for a trio of rookie Windsor Spitfires.
Forwards Ethan Belchetz and J.C. Lemieux along with defenceman Carter Hicks were on the winning side on Sunday as the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge opened in Sarnia.
Lemieux, who was a second-round pick by the Spitfires, had a goal and two assists as Canada White opened with a 6-2 win over Czechia. Belchetz, who was the first overall pick in this year’s Ontario Hockey League Draft, also hit the scoresheet with a goal and an assist.
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Meanwhile, Hicks, who was another second-round pick by the Spitfires, did not figure in the scoring, but was part of a solid defensive effort as Canada Red opened the tournament with a 3-1 win over Finland.
Preliminary play continues in the six-team tournament through Wednesday before moving to quarter-final action on Thursday.
Flyers blank Panthers
Goalie Marcus Vandenberg made 20 saves to record his second shutout of the season as the Leamington Flyers scored a 5-0 road win over the Pickering Panthers on Sunday in Ontario Junior Hockey League action.
Colton Smith had three goals to lead the Flyers (16-2-1-1), who have won eight in a row. Brayden Degelas and Brody Cook added single goals against the Panthers (8-9-1-1), who had former Spitfires’ goalie Ian Michelone in net.
Shutout for Windbiel
Goalie Jake Winbiel made 28 saves to record his first Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League shutout and help the LaSalle Vipers to a 3-0 road win over the Hamilton Kilty B’s on Saturday.
Joseph Gingras, Kyle Greene and Adrian Tonin scored for the Vipers (11-4-0-0) against Hamilton (8-7-2-0).
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A Spitfires draft pick, Windbiel now has a 3.13 goals-against average and .911 save percentage in eight games with the Vipers.
Canadiens bounce back
The Lakeshore Canadiens got back into the win column on Sunday.
The Canadiens scored a 5-1 road win over the Blenheim Blades in Bill Stobbs Division play in the Provincial Junior Hockey League after Friday’s loss at home to the Essex 73’s in a battle for first place.
Marco Sladoje, Trevor Larue, Noah Taylor, Brandon Leblanc and Nicolas Rosati had single for the Canadiens (13-2-0-0) against the Blades (6-6-2-0).
On Saturday, the Amherstburg Admirals dropped a 5-4 decision at home to the Mooretown Flags.
Ryan Dufour scored twice for the Admirals (6-7-1-1) with Cory Leach and Rory Sandison adding single goals against the Flags (7-5-2-1).
Lancer basketball splits
The Windsor Lancers women’s basketball team made it back-to-back wins in OUA play after 93-34 win over the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks on Saturday while the men’s team fell 88-83 to the Ridgebacks.
A dozen different Lancers hit the scoresheet in the women’s game with Vanessa Budimunda scoring 16 points and Kali Grootenboer added 14 points and 10 rebounds.
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The men’s team held an 10-point lead at the half and a five-point lead after three quarters, but could not hold on for the win.
Simeon Smith had 24 points for Windsor with Yashar Greaves-Saadat added 13 points while Emanuel Otone added 12 points and 12 rebounds and Yohann Sam also scoring 12 points.
Lancer hockey sweeps
The Windsor Lancers women’s hockey team has won there in a row in OUA play while the men’s team snapped a three-game losing streak in league play.
Makayla Malihot scored the winner midway through the third period as the Lancer women’s team scored a 4-3 road win over Ontario Tech on Saturday.
Maggie Mitani, Teagan Pare and Keana McKibbin added single goal for the Lancers (5-3-0-0).
Will Ennis and Logan Linklater scored for men’s team as the Lancers (3-5-0-0) picked up an impressive win by beating the No. 6-ranked Queen’s Gael’s 2-1 at home on Saturday.
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