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In a month full of stops and begins, the Windsor Spitfires are as soon as once more able to get again in motion.
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The Spitfires had been compelled to postpone Sunday’s residence match with the Kitchener Rangers as a consequence of COVID-19 points involving the crew. Nonetheless, normal supervisor Invoice Bowler mentioned the crew is able to go Thursday in opposition to the Sarnia Sting, which will probably be performed with out followers on the WFCU Centre beginning at 7:30 p.m.
“We’re good to go,” Bowler mentioned Wednesday. “We anticipate to play.
“No one’s known as in (sick). All the youngsters that missed Sunday, the 5 days (of isolation) have passed by, so that they’re good to go now.”
The most recent bout with the virus didn’t simply impression gamers, it additionally took out head coach Marc Savard.
“I’m cleared to return (on Thursday),” mentioned Savard, who had obtained two doses of the vaccine and was boosted over the Christmas break. “We’ll in all probability have slightly pre-game skate within the morning.”
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All members of the Spitfires have been vaccinated in opposition to the virus and signs have been delicate, however it has created havoc for scheduling and for recreation preparation.
“That’s the toughest factor,” Savard mentioned. “Simply with the ability to work on issues we would need to change or tweak and that’s powerful to do on the fly.”
Regardless of seven video games being rescheduled as a result of virus and the membership twice being shut down for protocols, Savard credit his gamers with how they’ve dealt with the disruptions over the past month.
“It’s been difficult, however I’m impressed by the youngsters,” Savard mentioned. “There’s been no complaining and so they’re simply enjoying.”
The Spitfires will play back-to-back video games on Thursday in opposition to Sarnia and Friday in Guelph in opposition to the Storm. The membership was additionally scheduled to play on Saturday in Erie, PA in opposition to the Otters, however that recreation was postponed on Monday.
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With gamers being off to battle the virus and lacking follow time, Savard mentioned it’s key to not try to do an excessive amount of.
“We’ve been telling the gamers to purchase in on quick shifts as a result of one lengthy shift can harm you for the subsequent shift, for the interval or the sport,” Savard mentioned. “There’s going to be plenty of powerful video games forward. This Sarnia crew has performed good hockey of late and have plenty of younger guys and so they work. We’ve acquired our fingers full, particularly coming off a layoff.”
Thursday’s recreation will formally mark the halfway mark of the 68-game common season for the Spitfires. With just below 10 weeks left within the common season, the Spitfires will nonetheless have half a season to play over a plan of 66 days with the OHL scheduled to conclude its season on April 3.
“We’ll play as a lot hockey as we will,” Bowler mentioned when requested if it’s sensible to suit that many video games into such a brief span of time. “Our job is to reschedule these postponed video games.”
And the job for Savard and his workers is to get the crew via what could possibly be a gruelling end to the common season.
“There’s going to be plenty of powerful video games forward,” Savard mentioned. “We’ve talked many occasions that we don’t know what the longer term holds, however play the sport prefer it could possibly be your final.”
jpparker@postmedia.com
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