Bateman lifts Spitfires in OT
Windsor Spitfires rookie defenceman Adam Bateman could not have scripted his homecoming any better.
By Windsor Star October 17, 2011 Be the first to post a comment
Windsor Spitfires rookie defenceman Adam Bateman could not have scripted his homecoming any better.
Bateman grew up playing his minor hockey in Brampton and Sunday came home to score his first Ontario Hockey League goal to lift the Spitfires to a 1-0 overtime win over the Battalion before 1,696 at the Powerade Centre.
“I had like 50 family and friends here,” said Bateman, who got the winner at 2: 20 of overtime. “I played (minor hockey) here until I was eight and went to a higher level. I’ve played a lot of games here and this is the happy-ending, feelgood story.”
Bateman was Niagara’s firstround pick in May’s OHL draft, but did not report and was dealt to Windsor.
It’s not often you see a 16-yearold rookie on the ice in overtime, but Spitfires head coach Bob Boughner was looking for some fresh legs with his team playing it’s third game in four days for the fourth straight week.
“I think the schedule is catching up to us a bit,” said Boughner, whose team has played a league-leading 12 games along with Owen Sound. “I thought Bateman had good legs all game and we didn’t have a lot of energy in our legs.”
After putting up a seasonhigh 49 shots in Erie Saturday, the Spitfires were limited to just 20 shots against the defensive-minded Battalion Sunday.
“It was an ugly, ugly game,” Boughner said. “We didn’t generate anything offensively.”
Windsor had just two shots in the second period and eight overall through the first 40 minutes.
The Battalion had 20 at Spits overage goalie John Cullen in that stretch and 28 overall, but the overage goalie was solid.
“This is always a tough building to play in,” Cullen said. “There’s not any energy and it’s a tough test.”
It was an impressive performance by Cullen, who was getting just his third start in the last 10 games.
“I know my starts will be limited with Jack (Campbell) playing so well, but I’m a team guy and I just have to take advantage when I get the opportunity,” Cullen said.
The club also had to lean on Cullen more when defenceman Saverio Posa had to leave the game early in the third period after sliding awkwardly into the end boards.
“Right now, we’re calling it a sprained ankle until we get further tests,” Boughner said. “Hopefully, it’s not serious.”
He made a couple of key saves down the stretch and watched Cameron Wind’s shot through a screen hit the post with 75 seconds left in regulation.
“We’ve had great goaltending all year and we’re in every game because of it,” said Boughner, whose team has won three straight and taken 13 of a possible 14 points in the last seven games.
Playing four-on-four in overtime, the puck slid back to the right point for Bateman, who threw a wrist shot at the net that went over the right shoulder of Brampton goalie Keegan Wilson.
“I was looking to go bar down and I did,” Bateman said.
The Spitfires are off until Thursday when the Kitchener Rangers come to the WFCU Centre. Game time is 7
“Not only has Joey trained me during the summers but he also coached a OHF winning team (1995 born Toronto Redwings) that I was glad to be apart of. Joey knows how to keep you thinking positive while pushing you to the limit. The drills are always high tempo and fun because your not doing the same drills day to day. He has been a big part of what I have accomplished these last few years.”
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