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Saginaw Spirit

First Playoff Goals for Willis, Beck, and Guo Help Spirit to Game 2 Win

March 30, 2024 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


Saginaw Spirit's Joey Willis on game night
Saginaw Spirit's Joey Willis on game night
(Saginaw Spirit, Credit: Steven Frank)

Saginaw, Mich. - The Saginaw Spirit defeated the Owen Sound Attack at the Dow Event Center in Game 2 of their opening round series to take the 2-0 series lead. Overager Josh Bloom ended the night with a goal and an assist, while Owen Beck added three points (1G, 2A) for the second consecutive game. Carter George started in net for the Attack, stopping 33 of 37 while Andrew Oke saved 35 of 37 shots for the Spirit.

At 12:05 of the first period, Saginaw scored the first goal of the night, courtesy of Joey Willis. Josh Bloom passed to Owen Beck who then fired a shot toward the net, but the puck bounced off Joey Willis' skate for the opening tally. Jackson Stewart was in the box for cross checking, and the Spirit powerplay had its first mark of the playoffs.

Will Bishop was sent to the penalty box at 16:10 for interference, giving Owen Sound their first power play opportunity of the night. This didn't stop Josh Bloom from manufacturing a break away where he slipped home the shorthanded tally. Owen Beck and Captain Braden Haché both received assists on the goal that saw Saginaw into the dressing room up by two.

AFTER 1: SAG 2 - 0 OS (Total Shots: 15 - 8)

Three minutes into the second period, James Petrovski received a hooking call and was sent to the penalty box, giving the Spirit another power play opportunity. Saginaw took advantage with Rodwin Dionicio chucking the puck up to Owen Beck, who walked into the left faceoff circle and fired it right over George's glove. Alex Christopoulos picked up an assist on Beck's first of the playoffs

Six minutes into the second, James Petrovski scored his first playoff goal of the season and Owen Sound's first of the night on a long shot through a screen. Cedrick Guindon was credited with the sole assist at 5:52.

At 8:26, James Guo further extended Saginaw's lead, scoring his first playoff goal in a Spirit uniform. After receiving a pass from Lincoln Moore, Zayne Parekh made a backhand pass to Guo in the left circle. His one-timer put the Spirit up by three to end the second period.

AFTER 2: SAG 4 - 1 OS (2nd Period Shots: 15 - 16 Total Shots: 30 - 24)

Owen Sound managed to score a-last minute goal with 2:30 left in the game. Ethan Burroughs slipped the puck right under Oke's pads with the goaltender pulled to bring the Attack within two.

With 42 seconds left in the game, Michael Misa scored a late empty-net goal with assists going to Lincoln Moore and Calem Mangone. This gave the Spirit a 5-2 victory over the Owen Sound Attack in Game 2, and the 2-0 series lead.

FINAL: SAG 5 - 2 OS (3rd Period Shots: 7 - 13 Total Shots: 37 - 37)

Powerplay: SAG 2/4, OS 0/4

Goaltenders: SAG: Andrew Oke (35 Saves / 37 Shots, W ) - OS: Carter George (33 Saves / 37 Shots, L)

Game 3 will take place at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre on April 1st. Puck drop is at 7:00pm.

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Images from this story

Saginaw Spirit's Joey Willis on game night
Saginaw Spirit's Joey Willis on game night
(Steven Frank)		   

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