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Saginaw Spirit

Four-Goal Third Period Completes Spirit Comeback in Windsor, 5-4

January 25, 2024 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


Saginaw Spirit's Jorian Donovan and Josh Bloom and Windsor Spitfires' Ethan Martin in action
Saginaw Spirit's Jorian Donovan and Josh Bloom and Windsor Spitfires' Ethan Martin in action
(Saginaw Spirit, Credit: Jim Parker)

Windsor, Ont. - The Saginaw Spirit (30-12-0-1) came back from two goals down to defeat the Windsor Spitfires (13-26-3-1), 5-4 on Thursday night. Jorian Donovan scored his first goal with Saginaw, Rodwin Dionicio had three assists, and Josh Bloom finished with an assist along with the game-winner. Max Donoso started for Windsor, saving 29 of 34 shots, while Andrew Oke started for the Spirit, swatting away 23 of 27.

After some early spectacular saves by Oke, Saginaw scored with only 13 seconds remaining in the first period. After offsetting roughing minors by Saginaw's James Guo and Windsor's Conor Walton, the Spirit entered the zone and looked to strike before the final buzzer. Josh Bloom lost the puck in the offensive zone but immediately stole it back from the Spitfires' defense. Bloom worked toward the front of the net, then laid the puck off for Owen Beck. The Saginaw forward took a quick shot that was hit by the glove of goaltender Max Donoso but contained just enough momentum to flutter into the goal for the 1-0 lead.

Shots in the first period were 8-7 in favor of Windsor, with Saginaw leading 1-0.

Windsor tied the game up at 6:49 into the second period on Cole Davis's 13th of the season. After Josef Eichler stole the puck off the Saginaw forwards, the defense laced a pass up-ice to Cole Davis. His quick pass around the diving Saginaw defender landed on the stick of Ryan Abraham. Andrew Oke shut down his shot as the puck lay on top of the crease. Davis swooped in and quickly slapped the it past the outstretched Oke for his 13th of the season and the Spitfires' first goal of the game.

At 8:58 into the second period, Windsor took its first lead of the game. After goaltender Andrew Oke traveled behind the net to play the puck, he backhanded a pass up the left boards off of Jorian Donovan. Colton Smith collected the loose change and fired a shot past Oke for the 2-1 score.

The Spitfires scored a third time at 15:45 into the second. After intercepting a pass in the neutral zone, Colton Smith skated past the benches and entered the offensive zone with another two-on-one opportunity. A pass across to Valentin Zhugin landed flat and allowed him to roof his shot over the blocker of Andrew Oke. Zhugin's 17th of the year and eighth since being acquired by Windsor set up a 3-1 lead the Spitfires took into the second intermission.

At the end of the second period, Windsor led 3-1 while outshooting Saginaw 14 to 7 in the period and 22 to 14 overall.

The Spirit came out firing in the final frame by getting a goal only 57 seconds in. After a missed Saginaw shot, Hunter Haight collected the puck behind the net and fired a pass along the left boards to Rodwin Dionicio. The former Windsor defender immediately fired a pass from point-to-point finding Jorian Donovan. After rolling away from pressure, Donovan fired a left-handed shot on goal, finding the edge of the corner pipe for his tenth goal of the season. Donovan's first goal with the Spirit brought Saginaw back to within one.

Windsor responded at 7:19 into the period on Valentin Zhugin's second goal of the game. After intercepting a pass on the defensive end, Carson Woodall hustled up the ice, passing to Zhugin before crossing the midline. Zhugin drifted in and let go of a shot, finding an open hole on Andrew Oke's right side. As the puck sailed in, Zhugin began celebrating his 18th of the season and the re-extension of the Spitfire lead, 4-2.

The Spirit looked to respond promptly, entering the zone quickly after the ensuing faceoff. After gathering the puck after the Saginaw dump-in, Sebastien Gervais muscled his way to the front of the net and one-handed a weak shot on goal. After Donoso made the easy save, the puck was lost in a scrum and laid perfectly on the ice for Ethan Hay to chip it over the goaltender. A quick shot for Hay gave him his sixth of the year and helped get Saginaw back to within one.

After a few minutes of aggressive play by both teams, Saginaw worked with some sustained pressure at 12:20 into the third period. As Windsor worked to clear the puck, Rodwin Dionicio knocked down a pass, collected the puck, and fired a pass to Matyas Sapovaliv. The Vegas prospect entered the zone and drifted toward the waiting for his fellow teammates. Sapovaliv spotted Joey Willis streaking down the left boards and sent a backhand saucer pass right on his tape. The Nashville prospect quickly stuffed the puck between the legs of the goaltender Max Donoso, tying the game up at 4-4.

Minutes later, Josh Bloom won an offensive zone faceoff back to Michael Misa. The Saginaw forward, caught in a tough spot, fired a pass up to Rodwin Dionicio, who was waiting at the blue line. Dionicio let go of a shot that Bloom tipped while he was on his way through the slot. The deflection slipped past Donoso for the 5-4 lead, Saginaw's first since early in the second period.

Despite some late chances by the Spitfires, Saginaw's defense and Andrew Oke held on for the 5-4 win. The Spirit outshot Windsor 20-5 in the final period, with final shots being 34-27 in favor of Saginaw.

Saginaw's fifth straight win lifts them to 30-12-2-1 and the lead of the West Division on Thursday night.

Saginaw's next game is on Saturday, January 27th, at the Dow Event Center to face the Kitchener Rangers with a 7:05 puck drop.

For more information, visit saginawspirit.com or follow the team on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

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Images from this story

Saginaw Spirit's Jorian Donovan and Josh Bloom and Windsor Spitfires' Ethan Martin in action
Saginaw Spirit's Jorian Donovan and Josh Bloom and Windsor Spitfires' Ethan Martin in action
(Jim Parker)		   

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