{"id":891890,"date":"2026-02-12T05:15:13","date_gmt":"2026-02-12T11:15:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/12\/walters-promising-changes-after-another-third-period-lead-turns-into-a-loss-for-spitfires\/"},"modified":"2026-02-12T05:15:13","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T11:15:13","slug":"walters-promising-changes-after-another-third-period-lead-turns-into-a-loss-for-spitfires","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/12\/walters-promising-changes-after-another-third-period-lead-turns-into-a-loss-for-spitfires\/","title":{"rendered":"Walters promising changes after another third-period lead turns into a loss for Spitfires"},"content":{"rendered":"<div>\n<div>\n<figure data-aqa=\"featured-image\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1200px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/windsorstar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/spits1_300921454.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=564&#038;h=423&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=071n6CBdwO7hWlEtnUTdzQ, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/windsorstar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/spits1_300921454.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=1128&#038;h=846&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=UWh4fiM7OKroJtFarKq3DA 2x\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1200px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/windsorstar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/spits1_300921454.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=564&#038;h=423&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=r2SvnIf_dnpDKoYMTDuNjQ, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/windsorstar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/spits1_300921454.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=1128&#038;h=846&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=_XbS6v6D5o0J3MSBZ84aSQ 2x\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/windsorstar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/spits1_300921454.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=472&#038;h=354&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=GoHI5W9J6xP3S1JOkKv-CQ, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/windsorstar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/spits1_300921454.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=944&#038;h=708&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=EW6WIKgNhiBgM5GtTvQEjQ 2x\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/windsorstar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/spits1_300921454.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=472&#038;h=354&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=4h1E43N8mvCTWBwoJscUyg, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/windsorstar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/spits1_300921454.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=944&#038;h=708&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=1rUYM0-Dd9COZeDrWL0d7A 2x\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/windsorstar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/spits1_300921454.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=288&#038;h=216&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=BAGHwW_XA7fD5BdmyJhRjQ, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/windsorstar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/spits1_300921454.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=576&#038;h=432&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=G0_uyfJPvaSVeT9e1hxy5w 2x\" type=\"image\/webp\"><img alt=\"Windsor Spitfires' goalie Joey Costanzo makes a save on Flint Firebird Christopher Thibodeau as Jack Nesbitt, below, and Ethan Belchetz close in on Friday.\" src=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/windsorstar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/spits1_300921454.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=288&#038;h=216&#038;sig=BA2O8QTVtSiuc0L4pzPbQA\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/windsorstar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/spits1_300921454.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=288&#038;h=216&#038;sig=BA2O8QTVtSiuc0L4pzPbQA,\n                    https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/windsorstar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/spits1_300921454.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=576&#038;h=432&#038;sig=HkbwdvbWtR2kW7dI0I5JKg 2x\" decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\" height=\"750\" width=\"1000\"><\/picture><figcaption><span>Windsor Spitfires&#8217; goalie Joey Costanzo makes a save on Flint Firebird Christopher Thibodeau as Jack Nesbitt, below, and Ethan Belchetz close in on Friday.<\/span> <span>Photo by Dan Janisse<\/span> \/<span>The Windsor Star<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Windsor\u00a0Spitfires\u2019\u00a0head coach Greg Walters is promising changes.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\"134233117\":false,\"134233118\":false,\"201341983\":0,\"335551550\":1,\"335551620\":1,\"335559685\":0,\"335559737\":0,\"335559738\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section data-aqa=\"identity-sign-in\" data-async id=\"article-block\">\n<header>\n<div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Windsor Star\" height=\"37\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/20.5.4\/websites\/images\/identity\/logo-identity-ws-new.svg\" width=\"280\"><\/p>\n<div>\n<p>THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY<\/p>\n<p>Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.<\/li>\n<li>Get exclusive access to the Windsor Star ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.<\/li>\n<li>Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.<\/li>\n<li>Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.<\/li>\n<li>Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p>SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n<p>Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.<\/li>\n<li>Get exclusive access to the Windsor Star ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.<\/li>\n<li>Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.<\/li>\n<li>Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.<\/li>\n<li>Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p>REGISTER \/ SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n<p>Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Access articles from across Canada with one account.<\/li>\n<li>Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.<\/li>\n<li>Enjoy additional articles per month.<\/li>\n<li>Get email updates from your favourite authors.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p>THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.<\/p>\n<p>Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Access articles from across Canada with one account<\/li>\n<li>Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments<\/li>\n<li>Enjoy additional articles per month<\/li>\n<li>Get email updates from your favourite authors<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div data-auth-component id=\"auth-screen-form\" aria-live=\"assertive\">\n<h2>Sign In or Create an Account<\/h2>\n<p><span><\/span><span>or<\/span><span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">That was his reaction\u00a0after seeing his team let\u00a0another\u00a0third-period lead slip away on Friday in a 4-2 loss to the Flint Firebirds at the WFCU Centre.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\"134233117\":false,\"134233118\":false,\"201341983\":0,\"335551550\":1,\"335551620\":1,\"335559685\":0,\"335559737\":0,\"335559738\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u201cIf the guys out there aren\u2019t listening, we\u2019ll put guys out who do,\u201d\u00a0said\u00a0Walters, who saw his team let a lead slip away on Wednesday in a 3-2 overtime loss to Kitchener. \u201cWe\u2019ll get there.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\"134233117\":false,\"134233118\":false,\"201341983\":0,\"335551550\":1,\"335551620\":1,\"335559685\":0,\"335559737\":0,\"335559738\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">It marked just the second time in 26 games this season that the Spitfires lost in regulation after carrying a lead into the third period.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\"134233117\":false,\"134233118\":false,\"201341983\":0,\"335551550\":1,\"335551620\":1,\"335559685\":0,\"335559737\":0,\"335559738\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<div aria-labelledby=\"OntheOHL4880658515863914354593117033725952\" data-account-id=\"b9d3df2fccd108b5eff3c44f573b2cd6\" data-aqa=\"widget-newsletter\" data-newsletter=\"single\" data-newsletter-component data-target-list=\"OHL_Newsletter\" data-widget=\"newsletter\">\n<p>By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u201cWe\u00a0lose\u00a0our game,\u201d\u00a0Spitfires\u2019\u00a0forward Ethan\u00a0Belchetz\u00a0said. \u201cThe third (period),\u00a0we\u2019re\u00a0not doing what we need to do to close out games. Just the\u00a0little things\u00a0to close out games and win games.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<div>\n<figure data-aqa=\"embed-image\"><picture><source data-srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/windsorstar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/spits2_300921458.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=564&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=FWX7Lj4wTXQXxXEaQOc9MQ, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/windsorstar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/spits2_300921458.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=1128&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=I39uymfqy-rFRcxf_P_W1w 2x\" media=\"(min-width: 1200px)\"  type=\"image\/webp\"><source data-srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/windsorstar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/spits2_300921458.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=564&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=aLzWIh2iKUzadMl6FgbW1A, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/windsorstar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/spits2_300921458.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=1128&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=FB4KbAzVNscjwf9d4Va1Ew 2x\" media=\"(min-width: 1200px)\"  type=\"image\/jpeg\"><source data-srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/windsorstar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/spits2_300921458.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=472&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=5qiiApOb6qQdYsNiLgvC9A, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/windsorstar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/spits2_300921458.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=944&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=W49iJjB2TNknik9MZdbicA 2x\" media=\"(min-width: 768px)\"  type=\"image\/webp\"><source data-srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/windsorstar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/spits2_300921458.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=472&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=C-KV_iCJX8HOYxcvR2IrqQ, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/windsorstar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/spits2_300921458.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=944&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=l-QJJ_QsvASe0kphO9reig 2x\" media=\"(min-width: 768px)\"  type=\"image\/jpeg\"><source data-srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/windsorstar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/spits2_300921458.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=288&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=ulwYo1HrucuO1gvt4ZPaYQ, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/windsorstar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/spits2_300921458.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=576&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=FtJeH2mfXPHcmXVMqPlZhg 2x\" media=\"(max-width: 767px)\"  type=\"image\/webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Flint Firebirds' goalie Mason Vaccari makes a save on Windsor Spitfires' captain Liam Greentree on Friday.\" src=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/windsorstar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/spits2_300921458.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=288&#038;sig=ybzmMr6s-4P6rgEsikVSgA\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/windsorstar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/spits2_300921458.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=288&#038;sig=ybzmMr6s-4P6rgEsikVSgA,\n                https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/windsorstar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/spits2_300921458.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=576&#038;sig=85b7sLrpV86G3DOaGJvHPA 2x\" height=\"750\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1000\"><\/picture><figcaption><span> Flint Firebirds\u2019 goalie Mason Vaccari makes a save on Windsor Spitfires\u2019 captain Liam Greentree on Friday.<\/span> <span>Photo by Dan Janisse<\/span> \/<span>The Windsor Star<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Let\u2019s\u00a0put it in perspective<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Windsor\u00a0boasts\u00a0the league\u2019s second-ranked power play, but it has struggled in recent games.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u201cOur power play\u00a0cost us the game,\u201d Walters said. \u201cI\u00a0didn\u2019t\u00a0think our best players were our best players.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">The Spitfires got a power-play goal from\u00a0Belchetz\u00a0to take a 2-1 lead after 40\u00a0minutes, but\u00a0failed on four other chances with two coming in the third period.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">On top of that, Windsor coughed up a short-handed goal that proved to be the game winner with just under two minutes to play in regulation.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u201cThey don\u2019t listen,\u201d Walters said. \u201cThey were standing three guys\u00a0at\u00a0the\u00a0blue line.\u00a0It\u2019s\u00a0so\u00a0far from what (assistant coach) Casey (Torres, who runs the power play) talked about. They just went on their own\u00a0page\u00a0and it cost us the game. It\u00a0wasn\u2019t\u00a0good at all.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Over the club\u2019s last eight games, the Spitfires have produced just six goals on 28 chances\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u201cPower play has to be better, that\u2019s it,\u201d said the Spitfires\u2019 Anthony Cristoforo, who\u00a0assisted\u00a0on\u00a0Belchetz\u2019s\u00a0goal and scored Windsor\u2019s other goal. \u201cThe team that we have, the power play should not be losing\u00a0us\u00a0games. We should be putting teams away from that. Our power play\u00a0has to\u00a0help us win games, not lose games.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<div>\n<figure data-aqa=\"embed-image\"><picture><source data-srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/windsorstar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/spits3_300921456.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=564&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=TpHPNDUrqx_Av8JnrCay0w, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/windsorstar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/spits3_300921456.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=1128&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=G4yRKYvzraT7DTFF_zR0jg 2x\" media=\"(min-width: 1200px)\"  type=\"image\/webp\"><source data-srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/windsorstar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/spits3_300921456.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=564&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=MGJ0Sjm5iiRFVEiPW2mAEg, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/windsorstar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/spits3_300921456.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=1128&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=AOKNGi-w8J27RTQnFj5HDA 2x\" media=\"(min-width: 1200px)\"  type=\"image\/jpeg\"><source data-srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/windsorstar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/spits3_300921456.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=472&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=24QehrHE0Cq5JrEYWSg3Pg, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/windsorstar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/spits3_300921456.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=944&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=-KitQlpBbeGFUNBNtfHsWA 2x\" media=\"(min-width: 768px)\"  type=\"image\/webp\"><source data-srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/windsorstar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/spits3_300921456.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=472&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=swShwoK5vK1zCANdXbCMWA, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/windsorstar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/spits3_300921456.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=944&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=3aUiebgye-Qom1pGCFdouA 2x\" media=\"(min-width: 768px)\"  type=\"image\/jpeg\"><source data-srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/windsorstar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/spits3_300921456.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=288&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=UBt6AbKlPRTeChGKn1v4Ag, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/windsorstar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/spits3_300921456.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=576&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=yyREHosppaLZKAA3wbvEhg 2x\" media=\"(max-width: 767px)\"  type=\"image\/webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Flint Firebirds' forward Ryland Cunningham, left, collides with Windsor Spitfires' defenceman Wyatt Kennedy on Friday.\" src=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/windsorstar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/spits3_300921456.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=288&#038;sig=qI9zSQTwl72VsTHXys28vg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/windsorstar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/spits3_300921456.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=288&#038;sig=qI9zSQTwl72VsTHXys28vg,\n                https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/windsorstar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/spits3_300921456.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=576&#038;sig=bvhg11ryIPOdTCMqJ64CBQ 2x\" height=\"750\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1000\"><\/picture><figcaption><span> Flint Firebirds\u2019 forward Ryland Cunningham, left, collides with Windsor Spitfires\u2019 defenceman Wyatt Kennedy on Friday.<\/span> <span>Photo by Dan Janisse<\/span> \/<span>The Windsor Star<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">What\u2019s\u00a0the missing ingredient?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Walters said\u00a0there\u2019s\u00a0no secret to what allows a team to close out a game with the lead.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u201cTurnovers\u00a0happen,\u00a0mistakes happen, but coaches trust players that make the game boring when it matters the most,\u201d Walters said. \u201cYour decision making under pressure, is\u00a0probably the\u00a0biggest thing as to who goes out there and we made some bad decisions.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Right now, the Spitfires\u00a0aren\u2019t\u00a0making enough good decisions to come away with a\u00a0victory\u00a0and it falls on the more seasoned players on the team.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u201cIt\u2019s the most physical we\u2019ve been all year, our forecheck was dominant, our trap was dominant, we just found a way to lose,\u201d Walters said. \u201cHonestly, just\u00a0the decision\u00a0making. They\u00a0have to\u00a0simplify the\u00a0game\u00a0or they\u00a0won\u2019t\u00a0be out there. Earn your next shift.\u00a0We\u2019re\u00a0trying to do too much.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<p> Jim Parker<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/windsorstar.com\/sports\/walters-promising-changes-after-another-third-period-lead-turns-into-a-loss-for-spitfires\" class=\"button purchase\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Windsor Spitfires&#8217; goalie Joey Costanzo makes a save on Flint Firebird Christopher Thibodeau as Jack Nesbitt, below, and Ethan Belchetz close in on Friday. Photo by Dan Janisse \/The Windsor Star Article content Windsor\u00a0Spitfires\u2019\u00a0head coach Greg Walters is promising changes. \u00a0 THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":891891,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4011,30002],"tags":[15962,67658],"class_list":{"0":"post-891890","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-promising","8":"category-walters","9":"tag-promising","10":"tag-walters"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/891890","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=891890"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/891890\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/891891"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=891890"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=891890"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=891890"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}