In a thrilling Ontario Hockey League (OHL) matchup on January 24, 2025, the Windsor Spitfires overcame a late-game deficit to rally past the Sarnia Sting, securing a dramatic 4-3 overtime victory. A standout performance from rookie sensation, Andrej Mathurin, played a crucial role in the Spitfires’ comeback, marking his career-first game-winning goal in the process.
The game was an emotional rollercoaster for both teams and fans in attendance at the WFCU Centre, as the Spitfires found themselves down 3-2 with just under five minutes remaining in regulation. The Sting, led by their captain Ryan Dobranski, had capitalized on a series of power plays and were looking poised to seal the win. However, Mathurin, who had already shown flashes of brilliance throughout the season, would not let the opportunity slip away.
Mathurin’s game-winning goal came at 3:52 of overtime, following a perfect setup from veteran forward Carson Reece. Reece skated through the neutral zone and spotted Mathurin streaking toward the net. A quick pass found Mathurin in space, and he made no mistake, blasting a wrist shot past Sarnia’s goaltender, Micah Weathers, sending the crowd into a frenzy.
“It’s a special feeling, for sure,” said Mathurin, visibly thrilled after the game. “I’ve been working hard and just trying to make an impact. To be able to get my first overtime winner in such a big game — I’ll remember this for a long time. My teammates were unbelievable, especially Carson on that assist. It’s just an incredible moment.”
The Spitfires’ head coach, Jeremy McKinney, also praised the young forward’s composure and maturity in the clutch situation. “Andrej has been such a strong addition to our team this season,” said McKinney. “To see him come through in that kind of moment is a testament to his character. He’s earned everything he’s gotten so far.”
The game itself was tightly contested throughout, with both teams exchanging goals in a fast-paced opening period. Sarnia struck first, as Dobranski netted a power-play goal early in the first. Windsor responded quickly with a marker from high-scoring forward Adam Zeppieri, but Sarnia regained the lead in the second period after a well-placed shot from rookie defenseman Owen Hughes.
The turning point came midway through the third period. With the Spitfires trailing by one, their captain, Liam Bergeron, tied the game at 2-2 after a scramble in front of the Sting’s net. Windsor’s bench erupted as the crowd sensed the momentum shifting in their favor.
The game seemed to be heading for a shootout as the final minutes of regulation ticked down. But with just over a minute left, the Sting struck again. A rebound from a slapshot by Sarnia’s veteran forward, Blake Winters, found its way to the stick of second-year winger, Ryley Parsons, who calmly slid it past Spitfires goaltender Matteo Santori to give the Sting a 3-2 lead.
With the clock winding down, the Spitfires didn’t back down. A timeout called by McKinney provided a chance for the team to regroup and refocus. With Santori pulled for the extra attacker, Windsor applied relentless pressure in the final moments of the game. The Spitfires’ hard work paid off with just 20 seconds remaining when Zeppieri found the back of the net again, this time on a deflection from a shot by defenseman Theo Amsler.
Tied at 3-3, the game went into overtime, where Mathurin’s heroics would cap off an incredible comeback. The win was particularly significant as it marked a crucial two points for Windsor in their push for a higher playoff spot in the OHL’s Western Conference.
Despite the loss, Sarnia’s head coach, Michael McLeod, remained optimistic about his team’s performance. “We played a strong game, but Windsor was just a little bit better tonight. I’m proud of the effort we gave, and we’ll bounce back. We’ve got some young guys who are learning and getting better every game.”
With the victory, the Spitfires now sit in the middle of a tightly contested playoff race in the Western Conference, and Mathurin’s emergence as a clutch performer is one of the team’s bright spots. His first overtime winner may just be the start of what promises to be an exciting career for the young forward.