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OHL Saginaw Spirit

Dionicio Scores, Lalonde Makes 27 Saves, But Spirit Fall to Knights in Game 1

April 26, 2024 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


Saginaw Spirit battle the London Knights
Saginaw Spirit battle the London Knights
(Saginaw Spirit)

London, Ont. - The Saginaw Spirit saw Game 1 of the Western Conference Final go 3-1 in favor of the opponents Friday night at Budweiser Gardens. Rodwin Dionicio was the sole goal scorer for the Spirit with assists going to Matyas Sapovaliv and Hunter Haight. Michael Simpson started in net for London saving 30 of 31 shots. At the other end, Nolan Lalonde stopped 27 of 29 shots on goal.

A string of penalties occurred in the first period. At 13:29, Easton Cowan was sent to the penalty box for a hooking call to give the Saginaw Spirit their first power play opportunity of the night. He was soon joined by Jacob Julien who received a roughing call at 14:18 to give Saginaw a 5-on-3 advantage. However, Josh Bloom was sent to the penalty box for slashing at 15:27 to make it an even 4-on-4.

With four minutes left in the first, Saginaw scored the first goal of the game. After collecting a pass from Matyas Sapovaliv, Rodwin Dionicio carried the puck to the right faceoff dot where he fired it right over Simpson's shoulder into the left corner of the net. Hunter Haight also received an assist on the goal to give the Spirit a 1-0 lead.

AFTER 1: SAG 1 - 0 LDN (Total Shots: 13 - 6)

Braden Haché committed a holding penalty in the final seconds of the second period that would roll over into the third period. No other entries went into the score sheet, and the Spirit were unsuccessful on a pair of powerplays.

AFTER 2: SAG 1 - 0 LDN (2nd Period Shots: 9 - 12 Total Shots: 22 - 18)

Matyas Sapovaliv received a delay of game penalty at 10:41, giving London a power play opportunity. The Knights took advantage of the opportunity, scoring their first game of the night thanks to a Kasper Halttunen one-timer from the right circle.

Halttunen scored again at 13:39 after a shot by Sam Dickinson popped off the boards and right to him on the other side. With only 20 seconds left in the game, Easton Cowan scored an empty net goal to seal a 3-1 victory for the London Knights. Sam Dickinson grabbed his second assist of the night on the insurance marker.

FINAL: SAG 1 - 3 LDN (3rd Period Shots: 9 - 12 Total Shots: 31 - 30)

Powerplay: SAG 0/4, LDN 1/3

Goaltenders: SAG: Nolan Lalonde (27 Saves / 29 Shots, L ) - LDN: Michael Simpson (30 Saves / 31 Shots, W)

Game 2 will take place at Budweiser Gardens on Sunday, April 28th. Puck drop is at 2:00 pm.

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Saginaw Spirit battle the London Knights
Saginaw Spirit battle the London Knights
   



Ontario Hockey League Stories from April 26, 2024


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