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Saginaw Spirit

Gervais Nets a Pair against Windsor as Spirit Win Seven Straight

January 28, 2024 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


Saginaw Spirit exchange congratulations along the bench
Saginaw Spirit exchange congratulations along the bench
(Saginaw Spirit, Credit: Eric Young)

Saginaw, Mich. - The Saginaw Spirit (32-12-0-1) defeated the Windsor Spitfires (14-27-3-1), 5-2 at the Dow Event Center on Sunday afternoon. Jorian Donovan and Alex Christopoulos both scored powerplay markers in the first, Sebastien Gervais scored twice in the second, and Michael Misa scored late to set the final score. Joey Costanzo and Max Donoso combined for 40 saves on 45 shots in net for Windsor, while Nolan Lalonde stopped 26 of 28 in his Spirit record 11th straight starting victory.

The score was first marked at 4:58 into the first period when Windsor's Cole Davis was called for a tripping penalty. Saginaw had many chances on the ensuing powerplay, but were unable to convert until the final seconds. As the penalty was winding down, a loose puck was picked up by Jorian Donovan who turned and threw the shot on net. The puck sailed toward the net and found a hole in goaltender Joey Costanzo, slipping through for Donovan's 11th of the year and Saginaw's first of the game.

The Spitfires were again assessed a minor penalty at 11:53 this time on winger Colton Smith. Off the right dot faceoff, Saginaw won the draw and began moving the puck around. Owen Beck received a pass on the left side of the ice and spotted Joey Willis near the right circle. A quick pass by Beck and rifle shot from Willis landed a shot straight off the chest of the goaltender Costanzo. The shot rebounded and laid atop the crease open enough for Alex Christopoulos to collect the loose puck, move to his backhand, and slot home a shot for his 17th of the season and 2-0 lead.

At 13:12 Saginaw's Michael Misa was whistled for a hooking minor, setting up Windsor on their first powerplay. 50 seconds later Spitfires' center Ryan Abraham was assessed a minor penalty for hooking, setting up a short four-on-four opportunity. 46 seconds later Saginaw again was called for a minor penalty this time on Jorian Donovan for roughing. This set up a 24 second four-on-three powerplay for Windsor, then a 50 sec four-on-four, finally ending with a 46 second Spitfires powerplay.

Saginaw killed off the four-on-three powerplay before giving up a goal during the four-on-four time. Windsor's AJ Spellacy collected the puck in the neutral zone and began streaking down the right boards. A pass to the interior found the stick of Liam Greentree who quickly let loose a shot. The captain's shot was knocked down by Spirit goaltender Nolan Lalonde and slipped out to his right. Carson Woodall crashed down from the blue line and quickly shoveled the puck on net, just past the outstretched arm of Lalonde for the goal. Woodall's second of the season and Windsor's first of the game set a 2-1 scoreline into the first intermission.

Shots in the first period were 14 to 11 in favor of the Windsor Spitfires with Saginaw leading 2-1 entering the second period.

Saginaw built onto their lead at 3:34 into the second period. Nic Sima began by moving the puck to Zayne Parekh while crossing in front of him. Parekh gathered the puck then bolted to the high slot. Parekh then slashed in front of Sebastien Gervais, dropping the puck to the Saginaw winger. Gervais skated to the top of the point and made a fantastic move to his backhand, side stepping his defender. Gervais stayed on his back hand, drifting toward the goal mouth before delivering a perfectly placed back hand shot over Costanzo's glove for the 3-1 lead.

Gervais struck again six minutes later after a mad scramble in front of the goal. Nic Sima and Lincoln Moore helped shovel the puck in front of the net, but it was Gervais' seventh of the year that gave the Spirit their fourth goal of the night.

Following the second Gervais goal, Windsor goaltender Joey Costanzo was exchanged for Max Donoso.

At the end of a shot-heavy second period for Saginaw, the Spirit led 4-1 while outshooting the Spitfires 22-5 in the period (33 to 19 overall).

The third period began with back and forth play until a roughing penalty by Saginaw's Jorian Donovan at 11:48 into the third. On the ensuing powerplay, rookie Cole Davis ripped home his 15th of the season to bring Windsor within two. Ryan Abraham and Max Donoso picked up assists on Windsor's second goal of the night.

Michael Misa finished the night with a powerplay goal assisted by Calem Mangone and Zayne Parekh, and the Spirit skated to their seventh straight win, 5-2 over Windsor.

Saginaw's next game is a West Division rivalry game against the Soo Greyhounds on Wednesday, January 31st with puck drop set for 7:05 at the Dow Event Center.

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Images from this story

Saginaw Spirit exchange congratulations along the bench
Saginaw Spirit exchange congratulations along the bench
(Eric Young)		   

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