'I will do anything' Hicks steps up

Short-Staffed Spitfires not rattled

Windsor, ON — The Windsor Spitfires battled hard. They outshot the Kitchener Rangers 23-21 but came up short Friday night, falling 5-2 at the WFCU Centre. With several key players sidelined due to injury — including captain Liam Greentree, who participated in warmups but was unable to suit up — the Spits leaned on Carter Hicks to fill the void up front.

"Playing up front is definitely something different," The 16-year old defenceman told Powerplay Sports. "(Assistant coach) Kris Newbury told me I would be playing forward and I was a little shocked at first but I felt like I did pretty well."

Having guys out hasn't been easy on the team, especially at this time of the year, but Hicks and others have not hesitated to step up.

"We don’t want to use it as an excuse but it definitely plays a factor. Our team has always found ways to push and we will continue that and I am a firm believer of that." Hicks said.

Despite failing to clinch the series at home and allowing the Rangers to keep their hopes alive (trailing 3-2), the Spits remain undeterred.

"The message hasn’t changed I believe, our coaches believe in us and our team believes in each other," Hicks said. "We know what we need to do. I know I am willing to do whatever it takes and I know our team has the same mindset."