OHL Soo Greyhounds

Extra Point Slips Away from Hounds in Saginaw

Published on January 2, 2016 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Soo Greyhounds News Release


SAGINAW, MI- For the tenth time this season the Soo Greyhounds saw a game extended past regulation, and for the fifth time they exited the game leaving a point on the table.

After building up a 3-1 lead in Saginaw on Saturday Night, the Spirit came back with three unanswered goals including the overtime winner to pull even with the Hounds in the West Division standings.

"Ya. We have to find a way to win those hockey games. We have let too many of those kind slip away" began Hounds Head Coach Drew Bannister when asked about how well his team played, but the need to bury their chances.

"That's a game we put ourselves in, have an opportunity to win and whether we have to work harder away from the puck and with it more but certainly disappointing in my eyes. Certainly a game and point we needed" he added.

Saginaw would open the scoring on their lone powerplay in the first period to open the scoring.

Midway through a quick paced first period Mike Davies got a piece of a Kris Bennett shot in front, and redirected it past JOSEPH RAAYMAKERS for the 1-0 lead.

Hounds forward ZACH SENYSHYN would connect on his third chance of a shift to pull the Hounds even with just over five minutes remaining in the first period.

BLAKE SPEERS sent the pass to GABE GUERTLER on the left wing creating a Hounds 2-on-1 where the Plantation, FLA product (Guertler) would connect with SENYSHYN for a quick shot beating Evan Cormier to tie the game.

Just under two minutes later the Hounds would extend their lead when TIM GETTINGER made the long pass from inside the Greyhounds zone to BORIS KATCHOUK who would skate it in and wire a shot to the glove side of the Saginaw goal for the 2-1 lead after one period of play.

After starting the second period with a good sixty-seconds in the Spirit zone to start, the would later extend their lead early on.

At the 4:20 mark, JACK KOPACKA buried a rebound to the left of Cormier for his 8th goal of the season and a two goal cushion for the Hounds.

And while up until that point the Hounds had held Saginaw shotless, they would capitalize on two of their next three shots to tie the game.

Matthew Kreis (5:51) pulled Saginaw within a goal that went clean through on a partially screened shot befoe Connor Brown connected on a breakaway at 8:22 to put the teams on even terms.

With under seven minutes to play in the period ZACH SENYSHYN had opportunities on a redirection, forehand and backhand attempt but was left frustrated.

JOSEPH RAAYMAKERS kept the game even with an enormous glove save turning aside Dylan Sadowy with a minute remaining in the period sending the teams into the third period tied 3-3.

A scoreless third period would send the two teams to overtime, while for the Hounds they went extra session for the second time in as many games on the trip.

GABE GUERTLER drove the net in the opening minute only to be turned aside and then BOBBY MACINTYRE had a breakaway sixty seconds later but saw Cormier put the pad on his attempt to end the game.

Meanwhile at the other end Matthew Kreis was denied on a breakaway himself as overtime continued to tick away.

But with 1:17 on the clock, Connor Brown went up the right wing and to the net before firing home the game-winner despite the determined effort by BORIS KATCHOUK, as Saginaw continued their winning ways over the Hounds in a 4-3 overtime final.

"Ya, overall. My expectations were that we were coming in here to win a hockey game so you walk away with one point I'm a little bit disappointed because we had opportunities to win that game and close it out" concluded Bannister when asked overall if he was pleased with his team's play.

The loss put the Hounds record to 16-15-4-1 on the season, good for 37 points and a 3rd place tie in the West Division with the Spirit.

ATTENDANCE - 3,080

RED STAR THREE STARS OF THE GAME

1-Connor Brown, SAG

2-Matthew Kreis, SAG

3-Evan Cormier, SAG

UP NEXT;

The Hounds cap off their three-game weekend TOMORROW - Sunday, January 3rd - with a visit to the Dort Federal Event Center in Flint against the Firebirds.

Game time is 5 p.m.

Fans can hear all the action beginning with the Bay Mills Resort & Casino's pre-game show on Rock 101 (101.3 FM, www.rock101.net) beginning at 4 p.m.

The game will also be simulcast on Country 105 (105.5 FM).

Check out the Soo Greyhounds Statistics

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from January 2, 2016


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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