Game 4 is Friday in Windsor with Game 5 slated for Sunday at home for Winterton and his Hamilton squad. Windsor leads the series two games to one. The winner advances to the Memorial Cup tournament to decide an overall champion of the OHL, Western Hockey League (the Seattle Thunderbirds are down 3-1 in their series) and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
With Hamilton trailing 2-1 late in Monday's first period, Winterton linemate and Anaheim Ducks prospect Mason McTavish won the puck back in the Bulldogs offensive zone with Winterton positioned down low on the forecheck. McTavish took a quick-release shot from the right point that Winterton alertly tipped by Windsor goaltender Mathias Onuska (11-4-1 in the postseason) with 26 seconds left before intermission.
To date, Winterton has recorded four power-play goals and five assists during man-advantage situations, plus a game-winning goal and two insurance goals (build two-goal lead not relinquished) during this "extra" season for him. Since returning from a shoulder injury in mid-January, Winterton has been a high producer on offense (averaged 1.25 points per game with 20 goals and 26 assists in the regular season) for Hamilton but equally appreciated for his hard defensive work as a forward.
For his part, Winterton made it clear in a recent interview that he and teammates are focused on making it to Saint John, NB, for the Memorial Cup tourney. If so, there is work to do Friday in Windsor, then back in front of Hamilton fans Sunday in the best-of-seven series.
