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OHL Saginaw Spirit

Dionicio Scores Again, Spirit Fall Short in Game 2

April 28, 2024 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


Rodwin Dionicio of the Saginaw Spirit
Rodwin Dionicio of the Saginaw Spirit
(Saginaw Spirit, Credit: Morgan Roobroeck – OHL Images)

London, Ont. - The Saginaw Spirit fell 3-1 to the London Knights in Game 2 of the Western Conference Final on Sunday evening. They currently trail 2-0 in the best-of-seven series. Rodwin Dionicio scored his second goal in the series in Saginaw's only marker of the game. Ruslan Gazizov scored a pair, and Kasper Halttunen grabbed the game-winner. Nolan Lalonde played in net for Saginaw, stopping 24 of 26, while Michael Simpson finished with 17 saves on 18 shots in the win.

London opened the scoring in Game 2 at 5:01 into the first. Max McCue weaved into the offensive zone before sending a left-wing pass to Ruslan Gazizov. The London winger fired a short-side shot that slipped past goaltender Nolan Lalonde for his first of postseason and a 1-0 lead.

The Knights added another goal the powerplay after a high-sticking penalty by Saginaw's Ethan Hay. Eason Cowan began the play with the puck at the blue line, feeding a pass to Dever Barkey. The Philadelphia prospect glided with the puck at the right circle before sending a pass into the center for Kasper Halttunen who beat Lalonde to the blocker side.

At the tail end of the first period, London's Eason Cowan was ushered to the penalty box for roughing, which gave Saginaw a powerplay that would carry over into the second period.

AFTER 1: SAG 0 - 2 LDN (Total Shots: 4 - 11)

Just 32 seconds into the second period, the Spirit battled back on the powerplay. Alex Christopoulos and Calem Mangone worked the puck to Rodwin Dionicio at the top of the zone. His wrist shot from the blue line went over the blocker of Michael Simpson and got the Spirit on the board.

AFTER 2: SAG 1 - 2 LDN (2nd Period Shots: 7 - 12, Total Shots: 11 - 23)

Late into the third period, the Spirit pulled goaltender Nolan Lalonde in favor of the extra attacker. At 18:54 London's Ruslan Gazizov ice Game 2 with an empty net goal.

FINAL: SAG 1 - 3 LDN (3rd Period Shots: 6 - 4, Total Shots: 17 - 27)

Goaltenders: SAG: Nolan Lalonde (24 Saves / 26 Shots, L ) - LDN: Michael Simpson (17 Saves / 18 Shots, W)

Powerplay: SAG 1/3 - 1/4 LDN

Game 3 will return to the Dow Event Center for Saginaw's first home game of the series on Monday, April 29th. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 PM.

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Images from this story

Rodwin Dionicio of the Saginaw Spirit
Rodwin Dionicio of the Saginaw Spirit
(Morgan Roobroeck – OHL Images)		   



Ontario Hockey League Stories from April 28, 2024


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