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OHL Saginaw Spirit

Haight's Hat-Trick, Young's First Blast Spirit Past Rangers

October 7, 2023 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


Saginaw, Mich. - The Saginaw Spirit defeated the Kitchener Rangers at the Dow Event Center by a score of 8-2 on Saturday night. Hunter Haight notched his first hat-trick of the season, while Aiden Young notched a goal and an assist for his first OHL points. Jackson Parsons started in net for the Rangers and Andrew Oke protected the crease for the Spirit.

The scoring began 4:51 into the first when Kitchener's Hunter Brzustewicz slipped past the defense on a pass from Carson Rehkopf and flipped a shot on goal. Saginaw goalie Andrew Oke poked at the puck at the same time as Brzustewicz, and the shot flipped over Oke's shoulder to put the Rangers up 1-0.

Just over 30 seconds later, Luke McNamara fed a pass behind the Spirit's goal to Zayne Parekh who rifled a pass to Valentine Zhugin streaking up ice. Zhugin got inside position and beat his man to the middle, taking a forehand shot that flew past Kitchener's goaltender Jackson Parsons' skate tie the game at 1-1.

At 14:39 into the first, Kitchener's Hunter Brzustewicz committed a tripping penalty on a Zayne Parekh rush, putting the Spirit on the power-play. On the power-play, Parekh fired a shot on goal that was tipped by Calem Mangone and saved by Parsons. The puck pin-balled in front of the goal until Matyas Sapovaliv stuffed it in for his first of the season, and giving Saginaw the 2-1 lead.

Only 1:49 later, Zayne Parekh took a pass from Joey Willis and skated down the wing. Parekh skated behind the net and wrapped a pass around the goal past the defenders and onto the stick of Aiden Young for his first OHL goal, extending the Spirit's lead 3-1.

At the end of the first period, Saginaw lead Kitchener 3-1 with shots being 9-8 in favor of the Rangers.

The scoring continued for the Spirit in the second when at 2:01 Calem Mangone collected a loose puck in the corner and spun a pass toward the front of the net, finding Hunter Haight. A quick shot by Haight struck the netting behind Rangers' goalie Jackson Parsons and extended the Spirit lead 4-1. Joey Willis collected an assist as well.

Two minutes later, Aiden Young entered the offensive zone and threw a cross-ice pass to Sebastien Gervais in prime shooting position. Gervais instead found Lincoln Moore waiting open on top of the crease to slot home his first of the year making it 5-1 Spirit.

Jackson Parsons was replaced by Tristan Malbouef after the goal.

The Spirit struck next at 8:21 when Zayne Parekh intercepted a Rangers clear and made a quick pass to Calem Mangone. A cross-crease pass from Mangone was deflected by a Kitchener defensemen and slid passed Rangers' goaltender Tristan Malboeuf and into the net. This put the scoreline at 6-1 and gave both Mangone and Parekh their third point of the night.

To finish the second, Kitchener's Luke Ellinas committed a hooking penalty at 19:51 setting the Spirit up on a power-play that would go into the third period.

At the conclusion of the second period, Saginaw led Kitchener 6-1 despite being outshot 10-7 in the period and 19-15 overall. Saginaw would continue their powerplay

Saginaw continued their scoring ways in the third as 1:01 into the period, as Micheal Misa passed to Calum Mangone who was standing just left of the goal. Mangone took a shot on goal that ricocheted onto the stick of Hunter Haight who finished the shot off for his second of the night putting Saginaw up 7-1.

Kitchener was able to cut into the lead when Adrian Misaljevic intercepted a pass up ice and sniped a shot glove side on Spirit goaltender Andrew Oke for his fourth of the year.

Late into the third, a collection of roughing penalties left Saginaw up on a power-play that would again be capitalized on by the Spirit. Zayne Parekh passed down to Michael Misa who looked cross crease for Hunt Haight. A quick shot passed the Rangers goaltender netted Haight his hat-trick goal.

Saginaw defeated Kitchener 8-2 and out shot the Rangers 27-23 in their second win of the season.

Saginaw's next game is on October 11th when they welcome the Flint Firebirds to the Dow Event Center for the first meeting of the season. Puck drop on Wednesday is 7:05pm.

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

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from October 7, 2023


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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