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OHL Saginaw Spirit

Game Preview: Game 1 vs. Soo

April 11, 2024 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


Saginaw, Mich. - The second-seeded Saginaw Spirit (4-0) welcome the third-seeded Soo Greyhounds (4-0) to the Dow Event Center on Thursday night for Game 1 of their second-round series.

Tonight's Game:

Puck drop is at 7:05 PM

TICKETS

Broadcast:

Television: CHL TV, CHL App, OHL Action Pak Ch. 467

Radio: 100.5 FM WSGW, WSGW.com

Round 1:

After claiming their fourth West Division title, the Saginaw Spirit swept the seventh-seeded Owen Sound Attack in the first round. Josh Bloom ended the series with at least a point in each game, scoring three goals and four assists for a total of seven points. Owen Beck also ended the series with seven points, adding two goals and five assists. Andrew Oke started in net for all four games making a total of 103 saves on 111 shots combined. His 2.00 GAA and .928 SV% are both second-best in the OHL Playoffs.

The Spirit took Game 4 against the Owen Sound Attack at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre on April 3rd by a score of 5-1. Zayne Parekh scored the first goal of the game for Saginaw but Servac Petrovsky scored one for Owen Sound, tying the game at one apiece. Michael Misa scored an additional goal for the Spirit giving them a 2-1 lead going into the second period. Rodwin Dionicio and Nic Sima scored two more goals for Saginaw extending their lead to 4-1. Owen Beck scored the last goal of the game to give the Spirit a 5-1 victory over the Attack to advance to the second round. Rookie goaltender Carter George saved 39 of 44 shots on goal while Andrew Oke stopped 20 of 21 shots on goal for his first career playoff sweep.

The Soo Greyhounds also got the sweep in Round 1, defeating the sixth-seeded Guelph Storm in four games. Bryce McConnell-Barker totalled eight points in the series, collecting two goals and five assists. Behind him was Gavin Hayes with three goals and four assists for seven points. Charlie Shenkel started in three games and made a total of 68 saves on 77 shots.

Game 4 of the series was held at the Sleeman Centre on April 3rd. Brady Martin scored the first of the game for the Greyhounds but Michael Buchinger soon tied the game up 1-1. The Soo went on a run, scoring four goals to win the game 5-1. Gavin Hayes and Owen Allard each scored a goal with Jordan D'Intino scoring two. Storm goalie Brayden Gillespie saved 17 of 21 shots while Charlie Shenkel stopped 26 of 27 shots for the Greyhounds.

Head-to-head:

The Saginaw Spirit and Soo Greyhounds faced each other eight times this season, with Saginaw claiming the 4-3-0-1 edge against the Soo. Their last meeting was a 9-2 Spirit win at GFL Memorial Gardens on the final day of the regular season.

Michael Misa was the most dangerous scorer on either side of the season series, picking up 12 points (6G, 6A) in eight contests with the Soo. Behind him was NHL Draft eligible defenseman and teammate Zayne Parekh, with four goals and seven assists for 11 points. Jack Beck was Sault Ste. Marie's most productive scorer in the season series, with eight points (4G, 4A) in seven games.

Players to Watch:

Overager Josh Bloom came away with a point in all four playoff games against Owen Sound (3G-4A-7P). Looking back into the regular season, Bloom is on a 16-game point streak for a total of 29 points (12G, 17A). Bloom leads the Spirit squad in points with seven alongside Montreal prospect Owen Beck who has two goals and five assists. Beck's two goals have both been power play goals which ties him for second most in the OHL. Andrew Oke has had a stellar postseason with a 2.00 GAA (second in the OHL), a .928 SV% (second in the OHL), and four wins.

The Soo Greyhounds are led by New York Rangers prospect Bryce McConnell-Barker with eight points (2G, 6A). Gavin Hayes follows behind him with seven points (3G, 4A) and has come up with at least one point in his last four playoff games. Charlie Schenkel leads all Soo goaltenders during the postseason with a 2.56 GAA (fifth in the OHL), a .883 SV%, and three wins.

Check out the Saginaw Spirit Statistics



Ontario Hockey League Stories from April 11, 2024


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